The Airborne Engineer All-Purpose Remote
Transport System (AE-ARTS) can perform a number
of chores, including EOD, active range clearance,
and debris clearing (Fig. 8). It has been
used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Robo-Trencher trench digger was developed
to protect forward-deployed personnel
responsible for performing cable trenching and
excavation missions in hazardous situations
(Fig. 9). Each Robo-Trencher is equipped with a
laptop Operator Control Unit (OCU) that features
situational awareness and GPS tracking/location
capabilities.
The system was delivered to the 738th
Engineering Installation Squadron, which tested
units in the field. These projects typically entail
conversion kits that augment existing hardware.
Engineers with the 738th created a remote kit
used to retrofit all of the trenching tractors in
their inventory.
Now being tested, the Robotic Convoy Assist
is designed to tether vehicles, allowing a single
driver to handle a convoy and allow personnel in
the vehicles to concentrate on the environment
looking for the enemy or improvised explosive
devices (IEDs). The lead vehicle has a driver,
but following vehicles don’t need drivers. The
system uses a camera that detects infrared
dots on the lead vehicle.
UP IN THE AIR, JUNIOR BIRDMEN...
Drones aren’t new. Remote-control
airplanes can be bought in any hobbyist
store, though today’s military robots are
significantly more advanced. Unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Predator and the Northrup
Grumman Global Hawk (Fig. 11) can be
controlled remotely, but they often operate
autonomously. It’s easier for UAVs to
operate on their own than other robots
because obstacles are fewer and more
easily detected. These proven systems
are used daily and are equipped with airto-
ground missiles and bombs.
Smaller UAVs are useful in the field as
well. A small crew can manage Advanced
Ceramic Research’s Silver Fox. The robot can be launched from a
portable, lightweight, closed gas piston
rail system mounted on top of trucks or
ships. The robot, which can be up and
running in less than 15 minutes, comes
equipped with a range of cameras and
sensors.
Many pilots dread unmanned combat
air vehicles (UCAVs). Fighters
like Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Navy
Unmanned Combat Air System experimental
aircraft are able to pull more g’s
than a human pilot (Fig. 13). UCAVs can
be smaller than conventional fighters
and may even be launched from existing
aircraft. Also in the works are countermeasures
needed to address the range
of UAV threats, as different radar is
required to detect smaller craft.
GETTING WET
Robots are finding uses on land, sea,
and air. Aquatic robots are showing up
in two flavors: underwater unmanned
vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface
vehicles (USVs). UUVs often are custom
systems, but many USVs are built in
a fashion similar to the larger ground
vehicles via the addition of kits. This
approach has the advantage of keeping a
boat suitable for human use.
Purpose-built USVs include the Rafael
Armament Development Authority 9-m rigidhulled
inflatable Protector. Its water jet is driven
by a diesel engine delivering speeds up to 40
knots. The Protector’s low-profile upper structure
is sealed. It’s designed to meet a range
of mission requirements. Another robot finding
its way onto robotic and non-robotic platforms,
Rafael’s Mini-Typhoon naval stabilized and
remotely operated machine gun system, can be
augmented with grenade and missile launchers.
GETTING SMARTER
Most of the robots deployed are remotely
controlled. Companies developing and delivering
these robots are working toward cooperative
operation as well as single-controller, multiplerobot
support. For example, Frontline Robotics
has been working on cooperative robotics, and
iRobot’s AWARE framework is designed to allow
a newly awakened robot to link up with local
controllers as well as other robots.