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Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise

Last Update

 17 Jul 2008

The Early Years—Unmanned Ground Systems Before 1989

Congress Expresses Uneasiness for DoD Robotics

Prior to the Congressionally directed consolidation of robotics into a single entity under the direction of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, all efforts related to work in the field were handled by the individual services. In determining the consolidation, Congress expressed uneasiness about "the many disparate defense robotics projects." The language went on to state a concern that "these projects are still proliferated and insufficiently coordinated." There was also recognition of how "many robotics projects remain subject to the technology and funding priorities of the individual services." A categorization of the individual programs and technology developments are indicated in subsequent paragraphs.

The initial work in the field of Unmanned Ground Vehicles can be traced to the Autonomous Land Vehicle (ALV), developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Martin Marietta from 1984-1988. ALV was a national test bed for industry and university development in artificial intelligence and advanced computer architecture using the latest technology of the late 1980's. It was a self-contained rolling laboratory capable of being operated independent of human control. The ALV achieved an autonomous off-road capability of 3 km/h on a 0.6 km course, negotiating tough terrain and avoiding rocks and trees.

In 1989, there were six unmanned ground systems under development in the Department of Defense. They include:

Only one system, the RECORM, had an approved requirements document. Three programs had approved Organizational and Operational (O&O) Plans while the others were in draft.

Technology Demonstrations

In addition to the identified systems, there were twelve efforts under the heading of technology demonstration. They include:

Records indicate the Teleoperated Vehicle (TOV) program is among the oldest, having begun in October 1980. The TOV was developed for the USMC as part of the Ground Air TeleRobotic Systems (GATERS) by the US Navy Ocean Systems Center, now known as SPAWAR Systems Center at San Diego, CA.

The TOV was a teleoperated HMMWV. The system had three modules: a mobility module to enable remote driving, a surveillance module to conduct reconnaissance, and a weapons module. In September 1989, the Hellfire missile was fired remotely from the TOV at Camp Pendleton, CA.

The Teleoperated Mobile Anti-Armor Platform (TMAP) was developed by Martin Marietta and Grumman in 1987-1988 in response to the United States Army Missile Command's (MICOM) investigation of using robotics to launch an anti-armor weapon system. TMAP was controlled by a joystick via fiber optic cable with the operator using a TV image to navigate. In December 1987, Congress determined that our armed forces would not put weapon systems on robots. Therefore, TMAP was changed to Teleoperated Mobile All-Purpose Platform (TMAP) and given a reconnaissance role. TMAP was used in the September 1989 demonstration with TOV.

Under the heading of support technologies, there were twenty-two programs prior to 1989. These support technologies were those parts or sub-components that would enhance or aid robotic efforts through manipulators, control units, reasoning, planning, analysis tools, communications, laser navigation, emulation, video imaging, stereoscopic displays, and simulations.

Congress Directs Consolidation of Robotic Programs

One can see the concern expressed by Congress when they concluded "...that the only way to produce a more focused and cost-effective robotics program is to delete funds for all separate projects and consolidate them under OSD policy and program direction. "The Committee believes it is not necessary or desirable to eliminate the participation of the services and defense agencies program offices in the daily management of robotics development efforts. However, the Committee expects OSD will decide both the funding and technology priorities for these efforts." Referring to the 1989 Master Plan, the Committee commented, "Despite the lack of specifically identified requirements, the Master Plan describes a host of ongoing and future robotic activities that, to the Committee, appear premature and duplicative." Thus the Committee concluded "...that creation of a consolidated program should permit OSD and the services to concentrate on establishing definitive, robotics operational requirements and on pursuing those critical technologies to satisfy these requirements."

The Director for Strategic and Tactical Systems, Land Warfare, Office of the Secretary of Defense provided overwatch over the consolidation. This consolidation has provided a continuity of personnel, with the exception of military personnel whose normal tour of duty usually last three years. Many personnel, including those leading the Air Force programs, Technology Development and Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal have been on station since 1989. Thus the Joint Robotic Program was established.