The United States continues to work on the creation of promising unmanned vehicles for the ground forces. Among other things, it is planned to create armored combat vehicles capable of working with the crew on board, by commands from a remote control panel or completely autonomously. Another version of such an armored vehicle was presented a few days ago. It was developed as part of the MET-D program and received the designation RCV.
Searching of decisions
The new prototype is the first result of the Mission Enabler Technologies - Demonstrator project, which is being carried out at the Ground Vehicle Systems Center of the US Army. The first reports of the MET-D project, being developed as part of the larger Next-Generation Combat Vehicle program, appeared several years ago, and a prototype was announced at the beginning of the year. Now GVSC was able to show the finished car, even an experimental one. The first show of RCV took place in early July as part of the Center's conference.
The task of the MET-D program at the moment is to study the requirements for promising unmanned vehicles and find the best options for its appearance. It is also required to form the appearance of an unmanned fire support vehicle, find the necessary technical solutions and work them out on experimental samples. As recent reports show, some of these plans have already been implemented.
Currently, GVSC specialists are working on developing electronics for promising technology. It is necessary to create observation, detection and fire control systems, communication and control systems that allow driving or using weapons. The work of operators at the control panel should not differ significantly from the actions of the crew inside the vehicle.
It is also necessary to work out the issues of interaction between manned and unmanned armored vehicles. One RCV crew must control the operation of 2-4 other vehicles without people on board. In the future, the unmanned version of the technology can receive artificial intelligence, which provides completely independent work.
Experimental platform
To date, GVSC has completed part of the research and design work, and also built an experimental armored vehicle to test the solutions found. This prototype was named RCV (Robotic Combat Vehicle); to speed up the work, it was built on the basis of the serial M113 armored personnel carrier. The development of such a sample was reported a few months ago, and now GVSC has shown it.
The RCV prototype retains the basic components of the base machine, but receives a large number of new systems. Unfortunately, the developers describe only the most general features and capabilities of the onboard electronics complex. At the same time, the appearance of the prototype reveals some details.
On the frontal part of the RCV, a frame is mounted with several optoelectronic devices that provide an overview of the front hemisphere. Above them, on the roof, is a movable base with an additional camera - probably for driving. In the center of the roof there is a slewing support with a developed optoelectronic system. An antenna device was installed on board closer to the stern. Other devices are located inside the case. The entire outer surface of the prototype is covered with cables for connecting the equipment.
It is noted that the technology demonstrator receives full-fledged remote control based on electrical systems. Two-way communication with the operator's console is provided. To increase situational awareness, the RCV will be able to carry a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle.
A prototype based on the M113 armored personnel carrier is already being tested and is showing its capabilities. Apparently, he is constantly undergoing various improvements aimed at improving the electronics. It is planned to spend several more years on testing and fine-tuning the equipment.
Three RCV variants
GVSC has revealed some plans for the near future. Using the developments in the existing technology demonstrator, it is proposed to create three variants of the RCV family of combat vehicles. They will differ in the design of the base chassis, payload and range of tasks to be solved.
A promising sample called RCV-L (Light) may turn out to be a similarity to the existing demonstrator. This vehicle will have a combat weight of the order of 7-10 tons and will be able to carry a set of various surveillance equipment and sensors, as well as light weapons. With the help of such a model, reconnaissance and observation tasks will be solved.
The RCV-M (Medium) project provides for the creation of an armored vehicle weighing 10-20 tons with cannon-machine gun armament and an anti-tank missile system. Such a sample is considered as a means of fire support for the infantry. An RCV-H (Heavy) armored vehicle weighing no more than 30 tons may also appear. It will receive a large-caliber cannon and will become a functional analogue of a tank.
It is assumed that future RCV variants will receive advanced electronics and a full set of planned functions. At the first stage, a manned armored vehicle will be able to work with unmanned vehicles and control their actions, and then a completely autonomous vehicle may appear.
Testing and implementation
Experienced RCV in its current form cannot be used in the military, and it is not intended for this. With its help, GVSC searches and works out technical solutions for use in future projects. The optimal set of electronics found with the M113 platform can be transferred to any other chassis - existing or newly developed. Work with the experimental prototype will continue over the next several years.
At the end of this year, GVSC plans to launch a tender for the development of three RCV variants. They will be based on new platforms and will be initially created taking into account the operation in the troops. Real samples of this kind should appear by the mid-twenties. In the absence of serious problems and in the presence of interest from the army, by the beginning of the thirties they will be able to enter service.
However, this may not happen. The fact is that, at the request of the Pentagon, several programs are now being worked out, the task of which is to create promising unmanned ground vehicles. Some of these projects can be considered as competitors for MET-D / RCV in the context of rearmament of ground forces and the ILC. At the same time, RCV can complement other promising projects.
So, three samples of the RCV family, planned for development, will have to solve the tasks of reconnaissance and fire support, but will not be able to transport troops. The soldiers will be transported by the OMFV family (Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle). Previously, the possibility of using such an armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicle as a command vehicle for the RCV was considered. In the future, it was decided to redistribute the roles and give control of unmanned RCVs to a vehicle of the same type with a crew.
Backlog for the future
From the published data, it follows that within the framework of the MET-D / RCV program, experts at the Ground Vehicle Systems Center have already carried out a number of studies, but work continues and is gaining momentum. So, to continue the RCV development for 2020 FY. funding of $ 160 million is required. In the future, similar amounts will be needed.
The result of the already started research work will be recommendations on the architecture and components of the radio-electronic complex for promising unmanned vehicles. On their basis, defense industry companies will have to develop full-fledged samples suitable for operation.
The equipment of the RCV family can enter service in the second half of the twenties, but for now GVSC is engaged in research, within the framework of which a technological groundwork is being created for the future. The results of future projects directly depend on the success of the current work.
