Squad Mission Support System: Difference between revisions
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The SMSS was developed for the [[US Army]] as transport and logistics support by [[Lockheed Martin]] Missiles and Fire Control division. |
The SMSS was developed for the [[US Army]] as transport and logistics support by [[Lockheed Martin]] Missiles and Fire Control division. |
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The SMSS can travel up to 25 miles/h and carry up to |
The SMSS can travel up to 25 miles/h and carry up to 1,000 pounds in gear. |
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Unloaded, the SMSS weight up to 2000 pounds and can be parachuted from an [[aircraft]]. |
Unloaded, the SMSS weight up to 2000 pounds and can be parachuted from an [[aircraft]]. |
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The SMSS Block 1 went to Afghanistan for a military utility assessment in late 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1884169,00.html?iid=tsmodule|title=Army Robots: Will Humans Still Be in Control?|quote=Meanwhile, the mountainous terrain and high altitudes of Afghanistan have led the Army to increasingly emphasize rapid delivery of anything that can lighten a soldier's load. As a result, the U.S. Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga., is experimenting with a 4,000-lb, six-wheeled semiautonomous, supply-carrying robot vehicle called the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS), which will likely head to the mountains of Afghanistan for testing sometime next year.|author=[[Kris Osborn]]|date=2009-03-15|work=[[Time magazine]]|language=English|accessdate=2009-03-16}}</ref> |
The SMSS Block 1 went to Afghanistan for a military utility assessment in late 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1884169,00.html?iid=tsmodule|title=Army Robots: Will Humans Still Be in Control?|quote=Meanwhile, the mountainous terrain and high altitudes of Afghanistan have led the Army to increasingly emphasize rapid delivery of anything that can lighten a soldier's load. As a result, the U.S. Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga., is experimenting with a 4,000-lb, six-wheeled semiautonomous, supply-carrying robot vehicle called the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS), which will likely head to the mountains of Afghanistan for testing sometime next year.|author=[[Kris Osborn]]|date=2009-03-15|work=[[Time magazine]]|language=English|accessdate=2009-03-16}}</ref> |
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<ref>[http://www.gizmag.com/smss-ugvs-headed-for-afghanistan/19452/ Gizmag SMSS]</ref> |
<ref>[http://www.gizmag.com/smss-ugvs-headed-for-afghanistan/19452/ Gizmag SMSS]</ref> |
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Four vehicles were deployed to Afghanistan. They were used to resupply small combat outposts and strongpoints, and construction projects on its larger forward operating base. One unit used the SMSS to carry 10,000 pounds of supplies over the course of two days to a small combat outpost two kilometers away, regularly carrying 2,000-pound loads. One time, soldiers loaded one vehicle up with 100 sandbags, which was estimated to weigh 4,000 pounds (exceeding Lockheed’s recommended carrying weight of 1,200 pounds), and succussfully drove it up a 30-degree slope. While initially planned as a squad-level asset, it is being used more at the platoon level. From fielding experiences, Lockheed is planning improvements to the system. They are considering adding another alternator to increase its power output, since one group of soldiers in Afghanistan had been trying to use it as a mobile operations center by loading it up with generators and batteries while out on missions. Lockheed is also considering adding a manipulator arm so it can load unload cargo itself.<ref>[http://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2012/05/deployment-of-lockheed-martin-squad-mission-support-system-smss-ugv-may-be-extended/ SMSS in Afghanistan] - Inmanned Systems Technology.com, May 24, 2012</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 19:07, 14 September 2012
Squad Mission Support System is an unmanned all terrain wheel vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin.
History
The SMSS was developed for the US Army as transport and logistics support by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control division.
The SMSS can travel up to 25 miles/h and carry up to 1,000 pounds in gear.
Unloaded, the SMSS weight up to 2000 pounds and can be parachuted from an aircraft.
The SMSS can be driven by an operator or remotely operated. Currently the SMSS is unarmed, but there are plans to arm it with either RPG or small missile systems.
The SMSS Block 1 went to Afghanistan for a military utility assessment in late 2011.[1] [2]
Four vehicles were deployed to Afghanistan. They were used to resupply small combat outposts and strongpoints, and construction projects on its larger forward operating base. One unit used the SMSS to carry 10,000 pounds of supplies over the course of two days to a small combat outpost two kilometers away, regularly carrying 2,000-pound loads. One time, soldiers loaded one vehicle up with 100 sandbags, which was estimated to weigh 4,000 pounds (exceeding Lockheed’s recommended carrying weight of 1,200 pounds), and succussfully drove it up a 30-degree slope. While initially planned as a squad-level asset, it is being used more at the platoon level. From fielding experiences, Lockheed is planning improvements to the system. They are considering adding another alternator to increase its power output, since one group of soldiers in Afghanistan had been trying to use it as a mobile operations center by loading it up with generators and batteries while out on missions. Lockheed is also considering adding a manipulator arm so it can load unload cargo itself.[3]
References
- ^ Kris Osborn (2009-03-15). "Army Robots: Will Humans Still Be in Control?". Time magazine. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
Meanwhile, the mountainous terrain and high altitudes of Afghanistan have led the Army to increasingly emphasize rapid delivery of anything that can lighten a soldier's load. As a result, the U.S. Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga., is experimenting with a 4,000-lb, six-wheeled semiautonomous, supply-carrying robot vehicle called the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS), which will likely head to the mountains of Afghanistan for testing sometime next year.
- ^ Gizmag SMSS
- ^ SMSS in Afghanistan - Inmanned Systems Technology.com, May 24, 2012