Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations (HERO)

We propose to leverage our software, hardware and very relevant experience developing robots for use around humans and rotary wing aircraft to provide a unique Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations (HERO) system. The new HERO system is designed for use at active, silent, jump, and rolling forward arming and refueling points (FARPS). Because of its unique approach in providing the appropriate amount of autonomy and human machine interaction, the new system safely increases fueling speed, reduces the number of FARP refueling personnel required, and increases reliability through redundancy. To accomplish this, we will outfit a commercially available and very rugged compact track vehicle construction vehicle with two applique kits: an Autonomy kit and a Refueling kit. Because these applique kits are designed to mount on and interface with the compact track vehicle without modification, they can be applied to existing Army compact track vehicle vehicles or be provided complete with new, low cost vehicles.