The Army on Monday released details for its Robotic Combat Vehicle demonstration event in May, which will be used to informing the program’s final prototype requirements and require interested vendors to run their test platforms through obstacles and rough terrain.
The new Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center has teamed with the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) to host vendors interested in showcasing RCV prototypes from May 13-17 at Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas.
“Industry teams with eligible vehicles who are interested in informing requirements of future phases of the RCV prototype are encouraged to attend this event, located just a short drive from Austin, Texas,” NAMC officials wrote in a note Monday.
Participation in the demo days will be limited to NAMC members who meet minimum criteria, including a Technology Readiness Level 6, and receive an invite from the consortium.
Vendors are asked to “teleoperate their platforms through a series of tracks and obstacles to include paved surfaces, mud, grass and obstacles,” and demonstrate their vehicles are able to travel at a minimum of 15 miles per hour.
Data collected from the demo days will be used to define final requirement for RCV prototype procurement, according to NAMC.
The Army in February announced it plans to release a request for white papers in July, followed by a downselect on potential prototype designs in September.
A final prototype contract award is then slated to arrive in November (Defense Daily, Feb. 14).
NAMC said an application to participate in the demonstration will arrive shortly, with responses due by March 20.