Army research : Mobility

Semi-Autonomous Robotics

Semi-Autonomous Robotics for FCS:

This Army Technology Objective will develop autonomous mobility technology critical for Army Future Force systems, including unmanned elements of Future Combat Systems (FCS), Land Warrior (LW), and crew aids for manned systems. The principal focus is toward robotic elements that maneuver in high hazard environments forward of manned systems. It will combine robotic functionality with human capabilities to provide flexible, semi-autonomous control modes for FCS elements, and will provide future land combat forces with significant new operational capabilities permitting paradigm shifts in the conduct of ground warfare, thus enabling significantly greater survivability and deployability. The effort supports and complements the joint Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center/U.S. Army Research Laboratory (TARDEC/ARL) Robotic Follower Advanced Technology Demonstration, Crew-Integration and Automation Testbed Advanced Technology Demonstration, and Aerial Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Robotics Technology Army Technology Objective. A key element of this Army Technology Objective is the research being conducted by the Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliance (CTA), which is a consortium of industrial and academic institutions working collaboratively with ARL and Army Research, Development & Engineering Centers (RDECs) to advance robotics technology. Technical efforts are focused upon the continuous advancement of perception for autonomous ground mobility; intelligent vehicle control and behaviors; and human supervision of unmanned ground systems, including the specialized sensor and network developments required to achieve robust semi-autonomous performance. Research is closely connected with experiments evaluating new technology in statistically rigorous field experiments that integrate ground truth with robot and operator performance.
Robotics Basic Research Collaborative Technology Alliance:

This project conducts basic research in key scientific areas that will expand the capabilities of intelligent mobile robotic systems for military applications. Research will be conducted in perception, including the exploration of sensor phenomenology and the maturation of basic machine vision algorithms, intelligent control, including maturation of artificial intelligence techniques for robot behaviors that will permit adaptation to unknown and/or dynamic environments, and broadening understanding of the interaction of humans with machines. The program will conduct both analytic and experimental studies.

Advanced Propulsion and Transmission Technologies

Advanced Propulsion and Transmission Fundamentals:

This basic technology program is aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of new, advanced aerodynamic engine component concepts; advanced mechanical component concepts to enable major advances in rotorcraft mechanical power transmission; and high temperature materials and structures to enable substantial increases in efficiency, power density, and affordability of small gas turbine engines.
Small Heavy Fuel Engine:

ARL is providing engine component level technology and high temperature materials and structures concepts to enable a small, lightweight, efficient heavy fuel propulsion capability supporting A160 and other class 4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our technologies directly contribute to the target goals of reducing specific fuel consumption by 20%, increasing horsepower-to-weight ratio by 50%, and reducing the operating and support cost by 35%. It also provides a technology base/tools for application to Future Force ground vehicle and manned/unmanned rotorcraft engine development.
Drive System Technology:

ARL contributes component level power transmission technology and advanced power transmission concepts to enable at least a 40% increase in the vehicle drive-system power-to-weight ratio without sacrificing life, reliability, or acoustic characteristics. These technologies are applicable to future manned and unmanned aircraft of the Future Force.

Vehicle Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Technologies

Vehicle Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Fundamentals:

This basic technology program is aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of structural mechanics and aeromechanics science and technology to enable revolutionary improvements in vehicle performance, reliability, weight, and cost to achieve Future Force operational capabilities.
Survivable, Affordable, Repairable, Airframe Program (SARAP): ARL will develop and validate structural analysis and design tools that address the weight, manufacturing, production, and operations requirements for structural concepts that are applicable for Department of Defense (DoD) Future Transport Rotorcraft (FTR), legacy vehicle upgrades, and UAVs. The focus of this technology development will support the characterization and validation of static and fatigue strength, damage tolerance, crashworthiness, and inspectibility/repairability characteristics of composite and hybrid vehicle structures.
Advanced Rotor Technologies:

ARL is providing advanced concepts and improved rotorcraft loads analysis models specifically for addressing the ultimate goal of developing a "no-swashplate" rotor concept. The payoff for a "no-swashplate" rotor will be reduced manufacturing, operating, and support costs through integral blade control concepts while eliminating conventional rotor hardware. The advances made by ARL in “on-blade” active twist will be extended from vibration control technology to full authority flight control capability.