Adaptable/ Reusable Hardware/Software Architectures and Components for Future Combat System Automated Resupply

The US Army has a mandate to advance the materiel handling, re-supply and logistics automation technology to support Future Combat System (FCS) applications. There is an immediate need to reduce the workload and manpower requirements, and expedite thedistribution of ammunition shipments through the in-theater storage areas to combat end users. To support this initiative, this program will develop and implement the enabling component technologies required for highly-autonomous, configured loadbuilding. By extending the autonomy of robotic field material handling equipment through the integration of sensor driven, intelligent controls, the efficiency and expedition of forward supply operations will be significantly increased.RRC established in a previous program that through the application of sensor technologies and advanced robotic control, an existing manual material handling system could be modified to perform many tasks autonomously. RRC incorporated new hardware andsoftware controls to the Smart Crane Ammunition Transfer System to demonstrate this capability. The Smart Crane represents an integrated set of core component technologies, which are reusable and adaptable for widespread deployment throughout themilitary's material handling domain.The Smart Crane uses a shared control approach, whereby an operator has the option to either perform selected tasks via manual teleoperation or invoke several autonomous strategies for crane control operation. The greatest impact to increasing operationalefficiency and throughput in material handling operations will be achieved by advancing the autonomy of the system, thereby promoting the operator to a supervisory role. The objectives of Phase I are the specification and development of components thatadvance the automation of three requisite material handling activities that are the most time consuming and require the highest level of operator involvement; munitions payload acquisition, payload release, and configured load building.This program builds on technology previously developed for the Army by RRC and others and will provide the Army with a suite of reusable and adaptable hardware and software components that can be applied to a broad range of existing field material handlingsystems. In addition to the material handling applications within the military complex, the development of generic sensor technologies and intelligent controls has significant government and commercial market potential in any application demanding roboticmanipulation in unstructured and/or hazardous environments, such as assembly, welding, cutting, stripping, cleaning and coating operations. Target sectors include the environmental remediation industry; civil infrastructure and commercial construction andmanufacturing industries; and the shipbuilding and aircraft industries.