New UAS-UGV teaming demo
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Sikorsky have participated in a joint autonomy demonstration to prove the capability of new ground-air cooperative missions, CMU announced on 20 January.
The team used a UH-60MU Black Hawk helicopter enabled with Sikorsky’s Matrix Technology autonomy kit, and CMU’s Land Tamer Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) for the demonstration.
The aircraft picked the UGV and flew a 12 mile route, delivered it to a ground location and released it.
Using its onboard chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) sensors to detect simulated dangers, the UGV autonomously navigated for over six miles, delivering information to a remote ground station. It was teleoperated to explore dangerous sites in detail when neccessary.
The collaboration demonstrated the effectiveness of unmanned systems in addressing logistics needs in dangerous and unknown environments, with the aim of preventing warfighters’ exposure to dangerous conditions such as radiologically or chemically contaminated areas.
Paul Rogers, director, US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), said: ‘The teaming of UAVs and UGVs, as demonstrated here, has enormous potential to bring the future ground commander an adaptable, modular, responsive and smart capability that can evolve as quickly as needed to meet a constantly changing threat. The cooperative effort between the army labs, academia and industry to bring solutions to the warfighter is exciting to see.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
-
Exail to supply Caméléon unmanned demining robots to Belgium Armed Forces
The Caméléon LG UGV includes remote operational capabilities and real-time hazard detection.
-
Honeywell launches counter-swarm drone system to combat evolving warfare requirements
The UAS, which detects and tracks drone swarms, will be demonstrated to the US Air Force Global Strike team in January 2025.
-
US Army Aviation targets increased UAS and CUAS capabilities
Despite claiming there was no need for a drone corps, Army Aviation remains ready to address UAS and CUAS warfighter requirements, as it focuses on adaptability and rapid deployment across all levels of warfare.