Lockheed
Martin [NYSE: LMT] completed a successful demonstration at Camp Grayling,
Mich., recently in which its Squad Mission Support System (SMSS™)
was being controlled via satellite from more than 200 miles away. The
SMSS vehicle conducted several battlefield surveillance operations while
being controlled beyond line-of-sight via satellite from the U.S. Army’s
Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren,
Mich.
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“These demonstrations
allow the Army development communities to better understand capabilities
available to them with SMSS right now,” said Joe Zinecker, director
of combat maneuver systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
“We are showing our customers innovative ways to employ SMSS vehicles
in missions while demonstrating that we are ready to move from technology
development to fielding these valuable and mature new capabilities.”
The demonstration proved that the combination of autonomy, vehicle mobility,
surveillance sensors and satellite communications can provide a means
of battlefield situational awareness while keeping soldiers out of harm’s
way. During the demonstration, SMSS was equipped with a Gyrocam 9M Tactical
Surveillance Sensor and a General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies “SATCOM-On-the-Move”
system.
SMSS incorporated an adjustable-height mast with the Gyrocam 9M, acquiring
on-the-move, high-resolution electro-optical and thermal video. In testing,
the SMSS movement and sensor functions were controlled from the remote
station via tele-operation, demonstrating control of the vehicle through
the satellite. In another simulated mission, the operator provided a
pre-planned route and SMSS autonomy allowed navigation with minimal
operator intervention, while other autonomous functions, such as follow-me,
go-to-point and retro-traverse, were also demonstrated.
Lockheed Martin conducted several demonstrations of the SMSS for the
U.S. Army during 2012, outfitting the vehicle with different mission
equipment packages to conduct logistics, counter-IED, mobility, dismounted-soldier
support, and reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. Four
SMSS vehicles were successfully tested by soldiers in Afghanistan in
2012 as transport and logistics vehicles to lighten the load for soldiers
in combat operations.
“The concept of an affordable common mobility platform coupled
with specialized mission equipment packages is the right answer for
UGVs to reduce development, production and sustainment costs, while
providing maximum flexibility for commanders,” Zinecker said.
“SMSS continues to demonstrate its readiness to move into the
next phase of the Army’s UGV roadmap.”
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is a 2012 recipient of the
U.S. Department of Commerce’s Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award for performance excellence. The Malcolm Baldrige Award represents
the highest honor that can be awarded to American companies for their
achievements in leadership, strategic planning, customer relations,
measurement, analysis, workforce excellence, operations and results.
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