Q-UGV Robots: Defending the Air Force's Most Contested Air Base

Ghost Robotics proposes to partner with the 99th Security Forces Squadron (99 SFS) at Nellis Air Force Base to deploy quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle (Q-UGV) robots to augment security and surveillance at key base locations. The robots will provide a manpower additive and expand the number of locations the squadron can monitor. Ultimately it enables the 99 SFS to “do more with less” and more strategically allocate its Defenders, whether the robots actively patrol base neighborhoods, stand sentry at an entry control point, or monitor select portions of the Nellis AFB perimeter fence. The research and development portion of this Phase II will build new AI/ML sensor detection with different sensing modalities, including LIDAR, and audio sensing for more  robust anomaly detection that currently does not exist with the commercial variant of the Q-UGV robot. This will enable the robots to be stationed as static listening and observation posts (LP/OPs) or as roving perimeter sentries. This will improve the squadron’s ability to monitor for threats and intrusions. The advanced machine vision and acoustic audio detection Ghost Robotics will develop through R&D will provide a decision advantage by helping the squadron better identify potential gunshots, broken glass, or other “false positive” noises that might otherwise require a response. This will empower the 99 SFS and broader force protection community to more accurately identify threats and respond faster, keeping aircraft, equipment, and people safe.