N221-003 TITLE: Remote Expeditionary Autonomous Pioneer System

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Autonomy;General Warfighting Requirements (GWR)

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground / Sea Vehicles

OBJECTIVE: Develop an expeditionary system that integrates a multiplicity of capabilities currently provided by several separate and distinct systems that provide material handling, construction, path/trail clearance, explosive hazard defeat capabilities, and refueling into a single system; and would utilize separate "attachments" or end-effectors to perform the various missions.

DESCRIPTION: The intent of this SBIR topic is to develop a system that integrates material handling, construction, path/trail clearance, and explosive hazard defeat capabilities into a single system. The system may be configured as a "base" and incorporate various attachments for each specific application. It is desired that the system require a minimum amount of operational input from personnel, including the changing of attachments. The system must be transportable by Marine Corps ground and air assets. Proposals should specifically describe the technology that will be applied to solve the problem, how it will be developed, what estimated benefits will be, and how it might be transitioned to the Marine Corps.

Definitions:

• Systems must meet Threshold requirements = (T)
• It is highly desirable for the system meets Objective requirements = (O)

1. Ability to meet the requirements of the Marine Corps in all of its operating environments (MIL-STD-810) (T=O)
2. Capable of repair in the field with plug-and-play line replaceable units or parts produced by expeditionary advanced manufacturing (additive manufactured 3D printed/subtractive manufactured Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling or lathing parts) (T=O)
3. Able to be deployed and operational by 1 person within 30 minutes (T), less than 5 minutes (O), starting from its transport configuration
4. Retrievable and ready for transport within 30 minutes (T), less than 5 minutes (O)
5. Operated with little or no human intervention. Single-person wireless remote operation (T); Fully Autonomous operation (O)
6. Base system weight: 5,000 lbs (T), 4,000 lbs (O)
7. Transportability:
1. Aircraft: CH-53 (T), MV-22 (O)
2. Ground: MTVR (T), JLTV Trailer (O)
8. Propulsion: diesel, electric, or hybrid
9. Run Time: 4 hours (T), 8 hours (O)
10. Operable in rivers or streams with a depth of 1 m (T=O)
11. Capable of operation in fresh and brackish water (T=O)
12. Mission Attachments
1. The base system will connect to attachments with limited human intervention (T), or no human intervention (O). A universal skid steer adapter is an example of a tool that may facilitate this function.
2. The time to connect/disconnect attachments will be 30 min (T), or 5 min (O).
13. Examples of desired Mission Capabilities that may require separate, distinct attachments to perform each task identified below:

1. The base system may use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) attachments. As an example, the Airfield Damage Repair Kit with the following attachments:

1. Compactor, Vibratory (NSN 3805-01-553-7850, PN 231-8601, CAGE 11083)
2. Hydraulic Hammer (PN 435-5318 CAGE 11083)
3. Angle Broom Attachment (PN 448-5670 CAGE 11083)
4. Fork Attachment (NSN 3930-01-561-7981, PN 353-1697, CAGE 11083)
5. Bucket Attachment (PN 426-6947 CAGE 11083)

1. Material Handling

1. Payload: 11,200 lbs (T=O)
2. Lift Capacity: 5,000 lbs (T), 11,200 lbs (O)
3. Lift Height: 60" (T), 72" (O)
4. Adjustable forks and mast

1. Explosive Hazard Defeat

1. Flail
2. Mine Roller
3. Breaching
4. Marking

1. Counter Mobility

1. Create man-made obstacles
2. Emplacement of lethal area denial capabilities

1. Fueling

1. Remote/Autonomous refueling of ground vehicles; e.g, JLTV, MTVR, LVSR (T)
2. Remote/Autonomous refueling of aviation assets (O)

1. Fire Suppression
2. Auxiliary Power Generation: 1,500W (T), 5,000W (O)

1. The system software will employ an open architecture; e.g., Robotic and Operating Systems � Modular (ROS-M) or Robotic Operating System (ROS) (T=O)
2. Cost, Base System: cost < $50,000 (O)

PHASE I: Develop concepts for a REAPr that meets the requirements described above. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting the Marine Corps requirements. Establish that the concepts can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. Provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones, and that will address technical risk reduction.

PHASE II: Develop a scaled prototype for evaluation to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for REAPr. Demonstrate system performance through prototype evaluation and modeling or analytical methods over the required range of parameters including numerous deployment cycles. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps and REAPr requirements; and for evaluation to determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment approved by the Government. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. Support the Marine Corps for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Commercial applications may include, but not be limited to: material handling in finished and austere environments; forestry and logging; public safety; demining and clearance; construction and earth movement; aviation (material handling and fueling). Additionally, the system lends itself to operations in remote locations that may not be accessible by traditional construction equipment.

REFERENCES:

1. ROS-M ROS Military Public Website. US Army CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center. www.rosmilitary.org.
2. "Remote Controlled Tracked Carriers, PT-300 D:MINE." FAE Group S.p.A., 2020. https://www.fae-group.com/en_US/products/demining/demining-tracked-carriers/remote-controlled-tracked-carriers/pt-300-d-mine.
3. Built Robotics. Built Robotics Inc. https://www.builtrobotics.com/.

KEYWORDS: autonomous; robot; material handling; expeditionary; maneuver; construction; explosive hazard; mine; mobility; Remote Expeditionary Autonomous Pioneer System; REAPr