US Army outlines robotic combat vehicle test plans
The US Army is set to carry out operational testing of robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) controlled from the back of modified Bradley Fighting Vehicles as part of work to inform where to go next with autonomous vehicles.
The testing, which will be conducted at Fort Carson, Colorado in March 2020, will provide input to Army Futures Command’s Combat Capabilities Development Command's Ground Vehicle Systems Center and Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team.
Upgraded Bradleys, called Mission Enabler Technologies-Demonstrators (MET-Ds) have been equipped with a remote turret for the 25mm main gun, 360-degree situational awareness cameras and enhanced crew stations with touchscreens. Initial testing will include two MET-Ds and four RCVs on M113 surrogate platforms. Each MET-D will have a driver and gunner as well as four soldiers in its rear, who will conduct platoon-level manoeuvres with two surrogate vehicles that fire 7.62mm machine guns.
A light infantry unit plans to experiment with the RCV light surrogate vehicles in Eastern Europe next May, then work will continue in 2021 with company-level manoeuvres. Experiments are slated to incorporate six MET-Ds and the same four M113 surrogates, in addition to four light and four medium surrogate RCVs to be supplied by industry.
The third phase of testing will take place in 2023, with the same number of MET-Ds and M113 surrogate vehicles, but with four medium and four heavy purpose-built RCVs.
According to the army, the family of RCVs will include three variants. The light version will be transportable by rotary wing, the medium variant would be able to fit onto a C-130 aircraft, and the heavy variant would fit onto a C-17 aircraft.
Both future and legacy armoured platforms, such as the forthcoming Mobile Protected Firepower ‘light tank,’ could influence the development of the RCV heavy. With no human operators inside it, the heavy RCV will be designed to provide the lethality associated with armoured combat vehicles in a much smaller form.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![NATO uncrewed maritime exercise under way off the coast of Portugal]()
NATO uncrewed maritime exercise under way off the coast of Portugal
Twenty-five navies, eight NATO entities and more than thirty companies and universities are currently involved in Robotic Experimentation Prototyping Augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems Exercise 2023 (REPMUS 23), held off the coast of Portugal until 29 September.
-
![DSEI 2023: SpearUAV rolls out drone launcher system for submarines]()
DSEI 2023: SpearUAV rolls out drone launcher system for submarines
Israeli UAS developer SpearUAV introduced a submarine-launched capsule option for its Viper 750 UAV at DSEI 2023.
-
![Ukraine shows combat-tested armament at DSEI 2023]()
Ukraine shows combat-tested armament at DSEI 2023
The Ukrainian pavilion at DSEI 2023, organised by state-owned Spetstechnoexport, exhibited several indigenous combat-tested systems, including UAVs, USVs and an evacuation vehicle.
-
![DSEI: Milrem displays new versions of THeMIS and reveals plans for larger UGV]()
DSEI: Milrem displays new versions of THeMIS and reveals plans for larger UGV
Milrem Robotics has now supplied more than 100 of its Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) hybrid UGVs including approximately 15 for service in Ukraine. Lessons learned are continuing to inform the platform’s development, according to the company.
-
![Leonardo and UK MoD unveil rotary-wing UAS at DSEI 2023]()
Leonardo and UK MoD unveil rotary-wing UAS at DSEI 2023
The design selected for the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Autonomous System is best suited for maritime operations.
-
![DSEI 2023: Irish company Reamda develops upgradeable dual-use Casur UGV]()
DSEI 2023: Irish company Reamda develops upgradeable dual-use Casur UGV
Reamda is designing a new SWAT version of its Riddler tactical UGV, to be designated Casur which is Irish for hammer, and designing a smaller lightweight version of its controller.
