A robotics demonstration between the UK and US Armies in Michigan
gave a glimpse into the future of getting supplies to the front
line.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), together
with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and
Engineering Center (TARDEC) and the U.S. Army Armament Research,
Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) demonstrated unmanned
trucks formed into driverless convoys, unmanned aerial vehicles,
and a robotic all-terrain 4x4 steered via a remote tele-operator,
British and American soldiers.
As a result, the Coalition Assured Autonomous Resupply (CAAR)
demonstration showed initial capability in unmanned tactical
resupply incorporating a combined line-haul convoy, autonomous
‘last-mile’ ground and air capabilities.
The ‘last mile’ represents the final leg of the logistics and
resupply route between the most forward base and troops in the
field and can be the most difficult and dangerous stage of
logistics support to a combat zone. The line-haul convoy is the
first time ever that a UK-US collaboration has joined together in
this way, with a British Army MAN SV 6-tonne (HX-60) truck as a
‘leader’ vehicle in the convoy, followed by two US Light Medium
Tactical Vehicles (LMTV) trucks.
Defence Minister said:
One hundred years ago we pioneered tank warfare with our US
allies, and today we remain right at the forefront of military
technology together. This exercise has proven the success of
our ongoing investment in science and technology as we see
concepts becoming reality. This particular project is
spearheading solutions to the notoriously dangerous operation
of supplying our frontline on the battlefield. Delivering
crucial food, fuel and ammo remotely will help save soldiers’
lives.
Pete Stockel, innovation autonomy challenge lead for Dstl, said:
Following the communique signature between the two nations in
2014, we have been working closely with our American
counterparts to develop effective demonstrations and
assessments of important new autonomy technologies, which could
one day reduce the burden on and risk to the military user,
while improving logistics efficiencies and interoperability.
This is the first time that we have created a UK-US coalition
semi-autonomous leader-follower convoy to bring to life
concepts which will provide solutions to de-risk the Last Mile
of logistics support to the front line. We are enormously
excited to be working with our US colleagues on this project,
delivering on the commitment announced at the Farnborough
Airshow in 2016. It has been an exciting challenge to drive
this forward at pace. This could be a step-change in how
operational risk could be managed, costs could be reduced and –
ultimately – lives can be saved, as a result of harnessing this
rapidly-evolving technology.
For this early stage of the collaboration, safety drivers
monitored the semi-autonomous vehicles which were controlled
using real-time information or following GPS waypoints. The
week-long experiment is expected to inform future autonomous
capabilities. This is a new way of coordinating and delivering
vital supplies to front-line operations, aiming to reduce risk to
those troops and provide on-demand delivery of food, fuel or
ammunition to the so-called ‘last mile’.
This CAAR event is the first demonstration in a 3-year project
with a goal of bringing to life a series of concepts which can
provide unmanned support to the last mile. The convoy was led by
a British MAN SV 6-tonne, two axle truck, travelling at speeds of
up to 25 mph, providing the leader vehicle for the following two
US LMTV trucks, using integrated robotics to make decisions about
speed, steering and other driving functions.
The UAVs demonstrated included the British-developed Malloy
Aeronautics Hoverbike. An advanced prototype quadcopter drone, it
can deliver more than (100kg) of supplies, all using a simple
tablet controller. It has potential to be used for humanitarian
aid and could one day carry a casualty away from danger. This was
the first time this version of the Hoverbike has been unveiled.
A tele-operated Polaris MRZR, fitted with Light Detection and
Range (LIDAR), sensors, cameras and GPS. This was operated by
British Soldiers from Combat Support Unit Trials Development Unit
(CSS TDU) as part of a joint UK-US trials team. Using nothing
more than an X-Box game console controller, Cpl Mortimer and LCpl
Thorne, ‘drove’ the 4x4 around the area.
Colonel John McCrann, from Army Headquarters, said:
The British Army is keen to work with its US counterparts
through Dstl to identify where autonomous technologies can
benefit UK military capability.
Dstl brought together a wide range of military and industry
partners to join commercial-off the-shelf (COTS) supplies with
novel ideas and tech start-ups to produce a futuristic
demonstration of how UK and US forces’ tactical resupply could
one day operate.
Jeffrey Ratowski, TARDEC’s project leader for the Coalition
Assured Autonomous Resupply (CAAR) effort, said:
We’re using US and UK Soldiers to control multiple robotic
assets including the convoy, the autonomous last mile- ground
piece, and there’s also an autonomous last mile- air piece.
For more information on the autonomy Last Mile Challenge,
visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-and-security-accelerator
