REMOTE MUNITIONS DEPLOYMENT FROM AN UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLE

Unmanned Ground Vehicle’s (UGV) are becoming more adapted and have increased mission capabilities to support Warfighter ground forces. Researchers develop and enhance unmanned ground vehicles to better aid Warfighters and increase their mission capabilities while mitigating their risk. High risk missions are often performed for infiltration of potential hazardous points of interests that contain anti-personnel obstacles. Ground forces have traditionally utilized live munitions to quickly create a footpath through these anti-personnel obstacles. These munitions often require personnel to be exposed to enemy detection/fire during placement.

This paper presents the development of an UGV remote deployment system to mitigate Warfighters risk by generating a stand-off distance between the obstacle(s) and the ground forces. The stand-off distance enables ground forces to stage, arm, and deploy the munitions from a covered/concealed position. Solutions that encompass low cost, rapid fielding, high mobility and durability, munitions accuracy, and leverage of existing fielded equipment have been considered. This paper discusses the deployment system development, integration with the UGV, and the proof of concept testing results.