Robotic ammunition loader aims to reduce burden on US Army artillery crews
Sarcos Defense has been awarded a $1 million contract by the Army Applications Laboratory within Army Futures Command for testing a robotic solution developed for ammunition handling.
The system uses a robotic arm designed to be integrated into the US Army’s fleet of Extended Range Cannon Artillery systems. Sarcos will extensive testing of this robotic solution to ensure it meets army requirements including shock and vibration absorption and withstanding extreme temperatures, humidity, and sand and dust incursion.
'The Extended Range Cannon Artillery system is used extensively in the US Army for long-range precision firing, but the downside to this system is the weight of the ammunition needing to be hand-loaded by soldiers in the field,' said Reeg Allen, VP business development at Sarcos.
Related Articles
Eurosatory 2022: Excalibur Army introduces Morana Howitzer
Finland improves long-range fire capabilities with extra Korean howitzers
'Our ultimate goal with the development of this robotic ammunition solution is to help the army successfully accomplish their missions with lower rates of injury by having a robot lift and place the heavy ammunition rounds.'
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
ERCA artillery system - PIM/M109A7 Improvement
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Sweden takes delivery of first M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system
The most recent nation to join NATO has joined other member nations in using the M3 system.
-
CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent
Slovakia is undergoing a radical refresh of its equipment, like many central and eastern European countries, and the arrival of new vehicles will form a substantial part of this.
-
Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace
In conversation... Patria’s Lauri Pauniaho talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about how high mobility levels are essential for mortar systems in the face of modern counter-battery fire, and how a new platform-agnostic module can combine existing vehicles and mortar barrels into a cost-effective new weapon system.