U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin demonstrate autonomous convoy vehicles
NewsJanuary 31, 2014
DALLAS. In partnership with Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) put on an autonomous convoy demonstration at Fort Hood.
The demonstration took place in early January 2014, and was part of the Army and Marine Corps’ Autonomous Mobility Applique System (AMAS). This demonstration marked the completion of the program’s Capabilities Advancement Demonstration (CAD). The autonomous vehicles navigated through obstacles and hazards in both rural and urban areas, including: oncoming traffic, passing vehicles, pedestrians, road intersections, stalled vehicles, and traffic circles.
David Simon, AMAS program manager for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, stated the AMAS CAD hardware and software performed up to standard, and the driverless vehicles dealt successfully with each of the real-world obstacles that a convoy would experience in the field.
The AMAS hardware and software have been designed to automate driving on current tactical vehicles. The AMAS Unmanned Mission Module can be installed as a kit on virtually any tactical military vehicle. During the CAD demonstration, the kit was integrated onto the Palletized Loading System (PLS) vehicle and the U.S. Army’s M915 trucks.
Bernard Theisen, TARDEC technical manager, says: "We are very pleased with the results of the demonstration, because it adds substantial weight to the Army's determination to get robotic systems into the hands of the warfighter."
For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com.
