Empowering Rapid Sustainment Operations Through an Autonomous Multi-Purpose Expeditionary Platform (MPEP)

The Air Force and Air Force Ventures listed Rapid Sustainment as an area of need, with a specific request for technology to reduce sustainment costs and improve readiness. The Air Force requested robotics tools for rapid deployment in austere environments, as well as tools to reduce the need for large logistics tails, to support sustainment modernization. The Multi-Purpose Expeditionary Platform (MPEP) directly addresses these challenges. The MPEP is a cross-functional, unmanned platform that improves the ability to effectively operate across a wide array of missions and scenarios. It is a ruggedized, minimalist device that mitigates complex pieces of training for operations and maintenance. The quick attach hydraulic connectors allow the MPEP to provide additional functionalities for power generation, base construction, weapon positioning, warfighter logistical support, and ammunition relocation. When using the quick attach plate, every “Bobcat”-style attachment comes to life, and customized attachments have been developed providing the opportunity to test the MPEP across multiple assignments. The primary goals of this Phase II are to incorporate semi-autonomous features into the MPEP and integrate a digital remote control into the platform. This advanced platform will be tested and demonstrated to verify its performance and that it meets the requirements of our Air Force partners. These goals can be segmented into four objectives. Objective 1: Incorporate digital remote-control system. We will extend the current joystick-based controller to a touchscreen-based interface along with the ability to display real-time sensor data on the touchscreen. This will enable the real-time display of the vehicle surroundings as well as simplifying the design of the controller. Objective 2: Integrate breadcrumbing and transmission features. We will integrate multiple sensors (LiDAR, Visual Cameras, Thermal Cameras, Inertial Measurement Unit) in the platform such that it is ready for autonomous traversal in the future. This sensor information will also be transmitted to the operator so that they can visualize the environment. Objective 3: Add GPS functionality for “teach and repeat” feature. We will develop GPS-based “teach and repeat” such that the vehicle can follow a path that has been previously driven. This will reduce the workload of the operator and as such will enable them to focus on the task rather than the navigation of the vehicle. Objective 4: Demonstrate and validate the MPEP in an operational environment. We will work at the Bush Compact Development Complex’s (BCDC) Innovation Proving Ground (IPG) at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS campus to develop a testing protocol acceptable to our AF partners and the broader DoD. The result of this test will ensure that the MPEP meets minimal requirements for the AF for sustainment operations.