Lockheed Martin [LMT] recently proved in a series of demonstration tests that its Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) vehicle can perform detailed logistics tasks without human control.
The tests were conducted at the Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, Colo., before an audience of military officials.
The 6×6 SMSS vehicle performed all autonomous operations flawlessly, the company said. It correctly followed a road network, safely maneuvered through a building complex, avoided obstacles in its path including mannequins simulating people, and followed a person using only optical tracking, exercising real-time obstacle avoidance and navigated to a person who issued a “come-to-me” command.
SMSS also demonstrated it was easy to operate in real-time controller-to-controller hand-offs, which allowed different operators to take control of the vehicle as it arrived at new locations. Operators also disengaged autonomy and went on board the vehicle to control it manually, showing user options in commanding the system.
“These demonstrations exemplify how the military can benefit from SMSS as an autonomous logistics vehicle to move parts, tools and materiel around fixed installations,” said Don Nimblett, senior business development manager for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “SMSS has proved through performance that our approach to autonomy is flexible and adaptable to a variety of platforms and missions. We’ve already proved the advantages SMSS can bring in the field through U.S. Army-funded warfighter experiments. These recent trials showed how SMSS can perform in crowded, limited environments transporting tons of cargo.”
Watching SMSS run through its paces were representatives from the Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Soldier Requirements Division, Combined Arms Support Command, Training and Doctrine Command Accelerated Capabilities Division, Rapid Equipping Force, Robotic Systems Joint Project Office, Marines and the Air Force’s 60th Maintenance Group.
Lockheed Martin initially developed the SMSS with its own funds as an independent research and development project. It was a company initiative to lighten the load for light infantry soldiers and marines.
A highly mobile vehicle, SMSS can carry 1,200 pounds of gear for a nine- to 13-person squad, and it can accompany the squad on missions through heavy terrain. The fully loaded SMSS can be sling-loaded under a UH-60L helicopter, or carried internally in a CH-47/53 helicopter. The robotic capabilities and autonomy utilized on SMSS also could be applied to a much broader range of robotic applications, missions and vehicles.