Photo By Christopher Estrada | Capt. Adam Rodriguez, the exercise platoon leader assigned to Alpha Company, 1st...... read more read more
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FORT MOORE, Ga.— In an effort to improve the dismounted infantry platoon’s performance on the battlefield by a factor of 10, Army scientists and engineers concluded two weeks of test and validation with advanced artificial intelligence and robotics technologies integrated on ground and aerial vehicles.
The experiment, called the 10X Dismounted Infantry Platoon Project, or “10X,” is led by the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center and designed to use a robotic system of systems integrated with an infantry platoon to enhance maneuver, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness.
Many hands make light work, and 10X is no stranger to the notion.
For the last two years, teams from GVSC’s Ground Vehicle Robotics group have collaborated with Fort Moore’s Robotics Requirements Division, the Maneuver Battle Lab, and the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) to provide Soldiers with a realistic environment to integrate with the systems under 10X.
“Through additional congressional funding, Robotics Requirements Division and GVSC were able to take the lead on 10X and provide the research and development arm of the project,” said Danny Guerrero, GVSC’s project manager for 10X. “We were then able to leverage the Maneuver Battle Lab as our test site and analytical support, while using NAMC and selected members of their consortium as our technology performers for the Soldiers.”
The final demonstration in late September featured a variety of robotic platforms for the Soldiers to take advantage of, including two Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) surrogates, two non-lethal quadruped robots and unmanned aircraft systems, all accessible via a tablet manned by the platoon leader.
“Our goal is to provide the Soldier with as many force-multiplying advantages as we can give them in a combat scenario,” Guerrero said. “When all of these technologies are being used to their fullest potential, we’re increasing our effectiveness on the battlefield without any additional cost to the warfighter on the ground.”
Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment have been pivotal throughout the duration of the project as they worked closely with Army researchers and developers. Through regular after-action reviews, Soldiers would highlight to the team which aspects of 10X were working well, and which needed additional tweaks.
When the time came for the platoon to conduct the mission, each of the platforms carried out its roles at the tap of a button. An SMET surrogate with a mounted Commonly Remote Operated Weapons System began providing cover fire for the platoon. A second SMET surrogate, equipped with a tethered unmanned aerial system gave overhead coverage of the area the Soldiers were attacking, and two robotic quadrupeds moved in parallel with the platoon, enabling imaging and aided target recognition capabilities for the Soldiers.
With all capabilities that could be shouldered by humans occupied by robotic counterparts, Soldiers could engage with additional overmatch and safety that was previously not allowed in a combat scenario.
Capt. Adam Rodriguez, who acted as the platoon leader for the 10X demonstration, said using these systems filled in critical gaps for the platoon, allowing him to leverage more from his Soldiers in a combat scenario.
"The technology augmented our capabilities as a platoon overall," Rodriguez said. "We're able to attack the objective with the strength of a full fighting force because we have robots that are filling in where we would normally be. I’m really interested to see how this concept develops."
Aimee Carper, branch chief for GVSC’s dismounted systems team, said the Soldier touchpoints were invaluable with the feedback provided from the operators.
“As engineers and tech developers, we work to establish a concept or capability,” Carper said. “By using Soldier touchpoints, we can work alongside the Soldiers and get real-time data and feedback. This includes what works with the current concept or capability, and what doesn’t work in practice.”
Soldier touchpoints also allow for the operators to provide feedback on ease of access, ensuring that any Soldier can operate a piece of 10X without an additional cognitive load.
“I feel if you handed this tablet off to another Soldier in order to get back in the fight, they would know how to handle it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jared Vineyard, who acted as the platoon sergeant for the 10X demonstration.
10X is one of several projects GVSC engages with to provide the modern Soldier with the competitive edge necessary to remain effective in tomorrow’s battles. GVSC, through partnership with Robotics Requirements Division, NAMC, and the Maneuver Battle Lab are giving Soldiers a glimpse of what the future warfighter will be capable of in the Army of 2040.
About U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center
The U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) is the research, development, and engineering organization dedicated to advancing ground vehicle systems and technologies for the U.S. Army and its partners. GVSC's mission is to deliver cutting-edge solutions that enhance warfighter capabilities, improve vehicle performance, and ensure mission success. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and agility, GVSC works closely with industry, academia, and government partners to develop and field state-of-the-art ground vehicle systems that meet the evolving needs of the Army and the nation.
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2024 11:38 |
| Story ID: | 483550 |
| Location: | FORT MOORE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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