The SMSS (Squad Mission Support System) is an autonomous unmanned ground vehicle designed and manufactured by the American Defence Company Lockheed Martin. The SMSS was initially developed as a Lockheed Martin initiative to lighten the load for light infantry Soldiers and Marines. SMSS was first developed in 2005 to support a TARDEC contract. The first versions possessed primitive waypoint following, had no navigation sensors and required a human operator onboard for safety purposes. Over time, successive SMSS variants eliminated the need for a human onboard and now feature enhanced capabilities for autonomous navigation, behaviors and obstacle avoidance without direct remote control. SMSS is also being evaluated for firefighting, first responder, power generation and logistic duties that can take advantage of its ever growing autonomous capabilities. The robotic capabilities and autonomy utilized on SMSS are also applicable to a much broader range of robotic applications, missions and vehicles. In June 2010, Lockheed Martin proved in a series of demonstration tests that its Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) vehicle can perform detailed logistics tasks without human control. The testing was conducted at the Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, CO, for several military attendees. In October 2010, Lockheed Martin’s Squad Mission Support System (SMSS™) autonomous vehicle will demonstrate its rugged maneuverability while meeting Soldiers’ needs to recharge batteries in Portable Power Excursion (PPE) tests next month at Fort Riley, KS. In July 2011, the SMSS is selected by U.S. Army to be deployed to Afghanistan for a first-of-its-kind military assessment. SMSS will deploy as the winner of the Project Workhorse Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) competition sponsored by the Army. |
Design |
The SMSS is based on a 6x6 all-terrain amphibious chassis capable of carrying 453 kg, with cargo deck at the rear part.
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Remote System |
The SMSS operator control unit consists of a vest containing the computer, batteries and antenna, and a control/display unit. Its design also allows the unit to be carried in the standard modular lightweight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE) system. The SMSS Block I variant, which will be deployed, has a range of 125 miles (200 km) and features three control options: supervised autonomy, tele-operation or manually driven. The SMSS sensor suite allows it to lock on and follow any person by recognizing their digital 3-D profile (captured by the onboard sensors), and it can also navigate terrain on its own following a trail of GPS waypoints.
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Propulsion |
The SMSS is motorized with a 60 or 80hp Turbo Diesel engine. The SMSS utilizes hydraulic/gear drive system which requires virtually no regular maintenance or adjustment. Each individual pump of the tandem pump setup drives a hydraulic drive motor that delivers torque to either the left or right side set of wheels. This is a much more efficient means of delivering power to the wheels when compared to other hydraulic vehicles which have a hydraulic wheel motor at each wheel. The SMSS drive system components are protected inside the hull from the elements such as water, mud, dust, rocks, etc. that could damage exposed hydraulic motor seals as with other machines.
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Combat use |
A fully-loaded SMSS is internally transportable on board CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters, providing new logistics capability to light and early-entry forces. A highly mobile 6x6 vehicle, SMSS can carry 1,200 pounds of gear for a 9- to 13-person squad, and it can accompany the squad on many missions through heavy terrain. The long-term vision of this system can accommodate armed variants, while improving its reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities within the concept of supervised autonomy. A squad-size manned or unmanned support vehicle is critical to today’s asymmetrical and urban battlefields.
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Specifications |
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Type
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UGV Unmanned ground vehicle a
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Country users
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United States
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Designer Country
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United States
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Accessories
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Remote control system, winch, spare wheel.
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Control
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Driven, voice, remote/teleoperate, supervised autonomy
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Transportability
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Internal: CH-47, CH-53 External: UH-60
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Weight
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1,723 kg
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Speed
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Range
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205 km
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Dimensions
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Length, 3.68 m; Width, 1.8 m; Height, 2.15 m max. a
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