As the Marine Corps adapts to Distributed Operations (DO) with small, dispersed fighting units distributed across a large area to create a tactical advantage through separate but coordinated actions, the need for a single platform, Remote Expeditionary Autonomous Pioneer system (REAPr) that can accomplish multiple tasks including material handling, construction, path/trail clearance, explosive hazard defeat capabilities, counter mobility, refueling, fire suppression, and exportable power has been identified. These tasks are currently accomplished using multiple equipment platforms, requiring several operators and maintenance personnel, often working in harms way. Accomplishing expeditionary tasks using a flexible, single system design with autonomous operation capability reduces the number of personnel required to complete mission tasks. In addition to the human factor, air and ground transportability of multiple pieces of equipment runs counterintuitive to the small, rapidly deployable units required for DO. To address this need, GS Engineering will take a systematic approach in development of a REAPr unit that incorporates the multi-use capability of a skid steer for construction, path/trail clearance, and hazard defeat with a rugged forklift for transport of pallets, Quadcon containers, and other supplies. This systematic approach will begin with a requirements definition phase, trade study of existing equipment/attachments, concept generation, and a final down select to a detailed virtual prototype of an optimal expeditionary system capable of remote operation at the conclusion of Phase I. In addition to the base vehicle design, GS Engineerings solution will develop palletized auxiliary systems for fire suppression, refueling, and payload/debris transport, and design for integration with existing auxiliary remote/autonomous systems. For remote operation capability, GS Engineering will design the base unit for future integration with COTS controls from Bokam, including their Universal Operational Control Unit (OCU) and vehicle master hardware. During the Phase II effort, this system, combined with cameras and other sensors integrated on the REAPr, will be designed for autonomous operation utilizing the Army Robotic Technology Kernel (RTK) and ROS-M to leverage previous and existing government autonomy packages.
Benefit: A remotely operated compact loader/forklift capable of accomplishing multiple mission tasks in a single-person, rapidly deployable, MV-22 transportable unit will allow the Marines to achieve mission objectives more effectively. Expansion of REAPr utilization to other branches of the US Armed Forces, such as the US Army and Air Force, would also be beneficial, as these forces often utilize similar equipment to accomplish material handling, construction, refueling, and mission specific tasks. In addition to deployment of the REAPr within the US Armed Forces, Allied forces as well as federal, state, and local government organizations could also benefit from the REAPrs multiplicity of capabilities. For the commercial compact loader market, a remotely operated, or fully autonomous machine capable of accomplishing multiple tasks with a single operator is applicable to the material handling, construction and earth moving, forestry & logging, aviation, public safety, and agricultural industries. Equipment OEMs offer multiple compact loader and forklift variants, each filling a market need relative to load capacity, functionality, customer preference, and price point. Bringing a single, remotely operated loader combining capabilities of several different machines to the compact skid-steer loader and forklift markets would be a market disruptor, with opportunities to scale the REAPr design to various industry segments. Remote and autonomous operation are in development, but are not readily available as standard equipment, often requiring after-market add-ons to manned equipment to achieve teleoperation. GS Engineering is currently in development of perception systems for autonomous systems, and has previous experience in designing motion control, and vehicle subsystems. In addition to sale of the REAPr platform, GS Engineering will leverage the power pack, and sub-components developed for the REAPr system as direct commercial sales and integration into new platforms. Therefore, introducing a remotely operated, expeditionary machine with optional autonomous upgrade would provide a niche product in a growing, competitive market.
Keywords: refueling, refueling, Autonomous, Fire suppression, Skid Steer, Pioneer, Forklift, expeditionary, remote