Pathfinder Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration

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Pathfinder Advanced Concept Technology
Demonstration
Briefing to Joint Robotics Program (JRP)
Guntersville, AL 24 June 2003 Dan Bernard,
Pathfinder ACTD Operational Manager
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Pathfinder ACTD Objectives

• Provide networked communications, real-time urban
  reconnaissance and effective targeting for
  precision weapons with advanced surveillance
  technologies, local C3, a network(s), and
  unmanned platforms
• Capabilities will support rapid, decisive
  operations such as airfield seizures
• Result of effort is enhanced lethality and
  reduced risk to the warfighter

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Pathfinder ACTDPrimary Participants

• USSOCOM
• Force structure and validated user requirements
• Numerous advanced technology projects aligned
  with program objectives
• Natick Soldier Center (NSC)
• Experienced, solidified team with established
  success in managing ACTD programs
• Follow-on opportunity for the MOUT ACTD
• DARPA
• Emerging technologies, funded programs
• Opportunity for transition of products

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Other Participants

• CECOM
• Communications technology
• Congressionally funded for support to
  USSOCOM/Pathfinder
• Joint Robotics Program (JRP)
• Funding support for ground robot
  projects/programs
• SPAWAR managed pool of ground robots
• USMC/MCWL
• Technology projects/programs
• Experiment/demonstration venues
• United Kingdom
• Coalition partner/technology interest

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ACTD Management
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Technical Goals

• Provide tools for reconnaissance elements to
  collect and disseminate data
• Provide tools for retrieval, analysis and display
  of data
• Provide a system which expands and contracts as
  necessary to support mission needs
• Provide an open architecture which facilitates
  technology insertions and upgrades
• Utilize legacy equipment when possible and
  replace obsolete legacy equipment when necessary
• Integrate equipment to minimize weight and volume

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Technology Areas

• Networks
• Unmanned Platforms
• Sensors
• Targeting

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CONOPS
The Pathfinder scenario involves an airfield
seizure and subsequent raid on an enemy C2
facility in a nearby urban area. For ACTD
planning purposes, operations are organized in
three distinct phases

• Phase I Pre-Assault
• Phase II Assault
• Phase III Post-Assault

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Schedule
FY05
FY06
FY04
FY03
FY02
Technology Selection
System Integration
Transition
Experimentation
Residual Phase
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Activities/Events
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LOE1 WSADS insertion of UGV

• Leveraged Event WSADS (Wind Supported Aerial
  Delivery System) or Snow Goose, powered
  parafoil designed as leaflet delivery system,
  conducted March 2002 at Yuma, AZ.
• Modified Leaflet delivery container to accomidate
  UGV, conducted several iterations of airdrop
  insertion with UGV mockups.
• Successful limited demonstration of possible
  insertion method for UGVs.

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LOE2 Millennium Challenge 02

• Millennium Challenge 02, conducted 21-31 Jul 02
  at Southern California Logistics Airport and vic.
  Pax River.
• Conducted urban reconnaissance support to USMC
  STOM using Pathfinder ACTD model
• UAVs controlled by special operations forces,
  images transmitted via satellite phone to USMC
  assault force aboard USS Boxer
• Successful limited demonstration of the
  Pathfinder ACTD networked UAVs concept

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LOE3 Tech Assessment, High Resolution IR
Camera on UGV

• DARPA supported high resolution (640x480) small
  IR camera mounted on Pointer UAV 21-31 conducted
  Nov 2002 at Ft Benning, GA
• User jury evaluation of two competing developers
  imagers
• Successful limited demonstration of increased
  capability for small UAVs

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LOE4 IBCT Fire Support Exercise with SUAV

• Leveraged event, supported Interim (Stryker)
  Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) fire support exercise
  with Pointer UAV in Jan 2003 at Yuma,AZ.
• Provided targeting support to IBCT using UAVs
  controlled by special operations forces, with and
  without targeting software modifications
• Successful limited demonstration of the
  Pathfinder ACTD targeting mission

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LOE5 Tech Assessment,Networks, UGVs, sensors

• DARPA event, assessed technology from Distributed
  Robotics Program at Ft Benning, GA
• Conducted user jury of selected UGVs, networks
  and sensors
• Successful limited demonstration some potential
  Pathfinder ACTD components

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LOE6 STORK

• Leveraged event, AFRL/UAV Battle Lab STORK
  Demonstration of insertion and control of UGV by
  UAV conducted March 2003 at Eglin AFB, FL
• Small UGV (EEL) successfully airdropped from
  Sentry UAV, Matilda UGV controlled through Joint
  Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS)inserted
• Successful limited demonstration of insertion
  and control of potential Pathfinder ACTD
  components

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LOE 7, Avon Park

• Focus on Phase I (Pre Assault) Technologies
• Employment of new SORSE as operational element
• Experimentation with Baseline case, data
  collection
• Technologies evaluated include
• Maverick UAV
• Pointer/Raven/Puma UAVs
• Talon UGV
• Cardinal Box, UGS
• Off-Line effort by Pathfinder TWG with network

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USSOCOM use of MOUT Pointer

• SOCOM identified modifications for the Pointer
  System which were implemented in March 02
• Software
• Loss-of-Link Modes
• Autoland
• Fly to Rally Point at User Set Altitude
• Link Signal Strength Indicator
• Altitude (MSL)
• Mission 2 Deleted
• Home Waypoint (configurable)

• Hardware
• New Uplink Upgrades
• Daylight Camera Housing

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Small UAV CMNS

• Response to SOCCENT Combat Mission Needs
  Statement for small UAVs- Pointer UAV selected
• Pathfinder ACTD team responsible for
• Contracting with developer (AeroVironment)
• Training Cadre/Training plan
• Maintenance and Training Contact Teams
  (CONUS/OCONUS)

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Future LOEs/Events

• Tech Search Complete (30 June 03)
• Preliminary Network LOE (Aug 03)
• Integrated System LOE (Sep 03)
• System Defined/System Freeze (Oct 03)
• Targeting LOE (Fall 03)
• Maverick UAV Retrans/UGV Control LOE (TBD)
• System/Ranger LOE/MUA (May 04)
• Final LOE/MUA (Feb 05)

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Transition to Acquisition
Technology
POR
Networks Chang Bread Crumb Cardinal Box w/

Evolutionary Insertion
JTWS / TACLAN
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Points of Contact
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Pathfinder ACTD Issues/Questions
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Pointer

• General
• Currently being deployed with SOF in combat
  environment to support CMNS
• 90 minute endurance with Primary Batteries,
  electric motor propulsion, 5-10 kilometer
  communications link range
• 40 knot max airspeed
• Man-portable System, Hand-Launched
• Requires 1-2 week training to operate and maintain

Characteristics Length 6 ft Wing Span 9
ft. Gross Weight 8.3 lbs (with daylight CCD
Camera, P(Y)-code GPS, Primary Batteries) GCU
weight 19 lbs with BA-5590 type
battery Navigation Rockwell P(Y)-GPS
hardware Kevlar Construction
Performance Navigation Modes Waypoint
Navigation, manual flight and combination Landing
Deep Stall autoland vertical descent Visual
Sensor(s) EO (day TV), IR (Indigo Alpha) in
forward and side-look mode. Endurance 90 min
with primary Lithium batteries or 30 min with
rechargeable batteries
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Raven UAV
Pointer UAV has been effectively employed in
combat. User feedback indicates that further
enhancements will improve military utility.

• Reduce size and weight by one-half
• Retain a state-of-the-art sensor package
• P(y) code GPS receiver
• Semi-autonomous control
• IR camera, or Front and side look Day Camera
• Widen speed envelope
• Improve setup time
• Reduce GCU Size/add multi-frequency capability

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Maverick Description

• Maverick Testbed
• Based on Robinson R22 Sport Helicopter
• Verified Flight Control System
• Verified Some Mission Capabilities (Man Rescue,
  UGV Deployment)
• 130 flights with 300 hours of Flight Testing
• Max Flight Duration 7.2 hr

Weight Length Rotor Dia.
Ceiling Range Endurance
Payload 1400 lbs 29 ft
25 ft 10,000 ft 100 nm
7 hr 300 lbs
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A160 Hummingbird

• Program GoalFully Autonomous VTOL UVA
• Full-size helicopter design
• 40 hour endurance
• Extended range allows launch point well behind
  operational theater
• Multi-mission capability/modular payload design