Jul 28, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
Created by Lockheed Martin, the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) is “the largest autonomous vehicle to ever be deployed with infantry,” said Lockheed in announcement released today.
The Lockheed Martin SMSS leverages robotic technologies for unmanned transport and logistical support for light, early entry and special operations forces. It solves capability gaps by lightening the Soldier’s load and serving as a power management resource.
The SMSS will decrease the amount of time a Warfighter has to spend in controlling robotic systems by providing vehicles that can navigate autonomously. The SMSS’ supervised autonomy will provide the Warfighter with a reliable squad-size vehicle which will improve combat readiness, while assuring re-supply channels and casualty evacuations.
Combining perception with extraordinary mobility allows vehicles to follow the Warfighter across most terrain, guaranteeing the payload the robotic system is carrying will be available whenever and wherever the Warfighter needs it. Few other robotic systems allow for autonomy dependable enough for a vehicle to follow someone without the use of location-disclosing beacons. The vehicle can also operate by remote control, tele-operation or by manual control.
User-proven autonomy
SMSS is executing a contract for the U.S. Army to provide the SMSS as a portable power solution complementing the NettWarrior Soldier technology package. SMSS provided self-sustaining portable power, Soldier battery recharge and logistics support for infantry during user testing in November, 2010.
The system’s dependable autonomous technology has garnered three safety releases by the U.S. Army to work in close proximity around Soldiers. SMSS continues to log hundreds of hours with Army users as the system matures and is prepared for deployment:
- Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment, Spiral E, 2008
- Military Utility Assessment, Fort Benning, 2009
- Limited User Test – Portable Power, Ft. Riley, 2010
- Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment, Spiral G, 2011
- Military Utility Assessment, Afghanistan, 2011 (anticipated)
Unmanned capabilities
The long-term vision of this system can accommodate armed variants, while improving its reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities within the concept of supervised autonomy. A squad-size manned or unmanned support vehicle is critical to today’s asymmetrical and urban battlefields.
Lockheed Martin’s experience in unmanned systems is unmatched with proven capabilities across all domains including air, land, sea and space. An integrated systems-of-systems approach allows Lockheed Martin to meet the challenges of network-centric warfare where both manned and unmanned technologies work collaboratively, increasing the affordability of the technology, the efficiency of the total force and ultimately, the success of their missions.
Jul 28, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
Revision officially marks its expansion into the Soldier Systems helmet business with a significant 3-year contract to develop the U.S. Army’s next-generation head protection system. The $1,990,340 award is for Revision to continue the design, development and demonstration of a modular and scalable headgear system for mounted and dismounted soldiers, and to mature it to a Technology Readiness Level 6. The new system is intended to provide impact protection improvements over current generation helmets and the integration of electronics and power. It will also allow soldiers to tailor their protection level and operating equipment to the specific mission at hand.
“The current situation is that head-borne protection and functional capabilities have not been designed as an integrated platform using Soldier-centric design principles. This has prevented the optimization of weight, balance and sub-component integration” noted Don Lee, Project Engineer, Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. He went on to say, “This development contract supporting the Helmet Electronics and Display System – Upgradeable Army Technology Objective is expected to develop integrated headgear system technologies to include upgraded ballistic and impact protection, integrated CBRN mask, full face protection, and integrated heads-up display and sensor inputs for actionable information to Soldiers and Marines. We anticipate the final outcome will be tools and technologies that will allow the U.S. Army and USMC to field well-balanced, optimized headgear systems that will provide improved head protection, allow for increased situational awareness, and increased mission performance allowing our Soldiers and Marines to be the decisive edge on the battlefield.”
This new helmet design will integrate a trauma liner, communication system, heads-up display, CBRN mask and enhanced night vision goggles. The fully integrated and fully modular system will also feature a visor and mandible guard option designed to provide better blunt force, blast and ballistic protection than a helmet shell alone.
“As the nature of combat has changed, the type of trauma seen on the battlefield has also changed with increasing numbers of soldiers suffering from head and traumatic brain injuries, whether caused by blunt force, blast or ballistic impacts. Based on extensive head protection systems research and development, Revision believes it has the technological, scientific and impact testing knowledge to design a new helmet and head protection system that can help to reduce brain injuries while also providing lighter weight and superior ballistic head protection. The battle against soldier head injuries is on. Our aim is to develop the very best protection that new design, materials and processes can bring to those who are serving the country” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision Military. He continued, “Through the experience gained and global market-leading position achieved in a relatively short period of time with the eyewear business, Revision is confident that expansion into cutting-edge, integrated head protection systems for the military is a natural growth step. We are honored to have been selected for this crucial Natick developmental project.”
Revision’s contract announcement comes at a pivotal time in the company’s history. In late 2010, the company announced an official corporate name change—from Revision Eyewear Ltd. to Revision Military Ltd.—to encompass its new head protection business. In June 2011, the company began operations at its new, Composite Center of Excellence and later this fall, the company expects to launch Batlskin™, its first generation, fully integrated, modular soldier protection system.
ABOUT REVISION
Revision develops and delivers purpose-built protective soldier equipment for military use worldwide. The company, which began with eyewear, has expanded to face and head protection and continues to develop their capabilities for integrated, performance-enhancing soldier systems. To that end, Revision brings the most advanced expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and finest technical minds. Clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, the Canadian Department of National Defence, the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization, the Swiss Federal Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. Privately owned and ISO 9001:2008 certified, Revision’s operational headquarters is located in Essex Junction, Vermont, USA, with additional offices in the Netherlands and Canada. For more information, visit www.revisionmilitary.com, write info@revisionmilitary.com, or call +1 252-288-5805.
Jul 27, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
While walking on water may be a dream for humans, it has become a step closer for robots.
Qinmin Pan and colleagues at the Harbin Institute of Technology in China have developed a water-walking robot, mimicking the abilities of the water strider, an insect which can effortlessly skim along the surface of the water. The machines could be used to monitor water pollution, and develop surveillance robots.
More > http://blogs.nature.com
