By B.C. Kessner
QUANTICO, Va.–The subsidiary in the U.S. of Israel’s Elbit Systems [ESLT] last week said it is in the discussion phase with the Marine Corps about the company’s Archer unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).
“The Marine Corps is very interested in hybrid electric systems for vehicles that could provide squad logistics support,” Francis Govers, chief engineer for Elbit Systems of America Land Solutions, told Defense Daily at the Modern Day Marine Expo.
Archer is co-built with Reflexx Robotics and designed as a hybrid gasoline or diesel UGV capable of carrying a 200-pound payload and more than 40-hour mission times.
One of Archer’s roles in what the company calls its SUMPTER configuration would have the UGV serving as a “pack horse” for a fire team or squad. Additional duties could include range clearance, route proving, tactical water purification and advanced EOD missions, where Archer could carry other smaller robots, Govers said.
Another potential configuration of the hybrid UGV could include fitting it with a gun turret, making it suitable for armed robotic vehicle missions.
Archer’s sensors include Ladar for obstacle detection, GPS, a six-axes inertial, magnetic and inclinometer sensor, 360-degree driving cameras, a pan, tilt, and zoom camera, and a passive infrared human detection system.
Optional payloads for the open architecture UGV include a host of cameras, robotic arms, CBRNE detection systems, a water purification system, and an EO/IR reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting assistance payload with a laser target designator and rangefinder.
Archer carries a 2.4 GHz radio receiver, a datalink with ad hoc wireless network capabilities. It is compatible with the company’s small wearable operator control units and interfaces (Defense Daily, Oct. 1).
Elbit Systems of America is hoping to conduct a demonstration with the Marines later this year.
Future variants could include a track system for the current four-wheeler model, an XL version for carrying payloads up to 600 pounds, as well as anti-mine and anti-IED payloads, Govers added.
The company has also built a prototype of a small robot that is “already running around on its wheels” to serve as a radio relay module between forces and other UGVs, Govers said. “This mini robot we now call Pup, for lack of a better name, could be sent out to bridge communications if another UGV starts to get out of range,” he added. n