BUSTOR: Breaching with UXVs for Simultaneous Tactical Obstacle Reduction

Smart Information Flow Technologies and RTX BBN propose to develop Breaching with UXVs for Simultaneous Tactical Obstacle Reduction (BUSTOR), a system that will conduct explosive breaching of complex obstacles and a provides command and control framework for autonomous breaching operations. However, there are three primary challenges with breaching using UAV-borne explosives. First, First-Person View (FPV) drones require a dedicated operator for every single UAV, which does not scale for large obstacles. Second, affordable UAVs are weight-limited to light payloads, limiting their use during explosive breaching. Finally, individual UAVs cannot effectively lift linear payloads, such as APOBS or MPLC line charges or bangalore torpedoes. ĀBUSTOR will address existing technical challenges through two novel approaches: (1) autonomous command and control will allow one operator to oversee a large number of UAVs for greater mass in combined payloads and redundancy in the event UAVs are lost to enemy fire; and (2) BUSTOR will use tandem payload lifts that will allow the use of line charges to breach paths for friendly forces and allow emplacement of larger payloads, such as smoke pots for obscuration. BUSTOR will enable rapid, parallel breaching of complex obstacles and reduce casualties for Soldiers during high-risk breaching operations.