SCARAB – Swarm-capable Autonomous Robotic Aquatic and Bridging

The U.S. Army seeks an autonomous robotic bridging solution for the 2040 battlespace to enhance mobility, reduce logistical burden, and improve crew survivability. Hydronalix, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), is developing the Swarm-capable Autonomous Robotic Aquatic Bridging (SCARAB) system. SCARAB utilizes unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) with distributed formation control, vision-based localization, and autonomous docking to form floating bridges without requiring GPS or communication links.Hydronalix’s proven USVs, with TRL 6-8+ technology, provide a scalable, low-risk foundation for the system. The proposed bridging solution enables rapid, dispersed river crossings in contested environments, adapting to varied operational conditions. UTARI’s swarm control approach ensures robust, collision-free formations using only local sensing, making SCARAB resilient to electronic warfare and GPS-denied environments.Phase I focuses on validating the feasibility of SCARAB through sensor trade studies, refining TRL 4+ swarm control algorithms, and integrating existing floating bay structures. Simulations and real-world testing will evaluate bridge formation under varied conditions, laying the groundwork for a scalable, autonomous bridging solution that meets future military needs.