U.S. Office of Naval Research Continues Cargo UGV Project with Oshkosh Defense

The U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) will continue the ground-breaking Cargo UGV project and has awarded a contract to Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), using Oshkosh TerraMax® unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology. The ONR is advancing the project originated by the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.

Oshkosh Defense MTVR equipped with TerraMax UGV technology (Photo: Business Wire)

The Cargo UGV project was initiated in 2010 to identify how UGV technology could be integrated into the Marine Corps’ tactical wheeled vehicle (TWV) fleet to reduce Marines’ exposure to threats and to streamline logistics convoy operations. Under the MCWL Cargo UGV effort, two Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVRs) were upgraded with TerraMax systems that enabled fully unmanned operation. Government evaluations revealed that the state-of-the-art autonomous capability offered practical utility in a variety of operational situations. Live force experiments in which combat-veteran Marines were trained to operate the UGVs in concert with manned vehicles furthered the development of concepts of operation for robotic systems in combat environments.

Oshkosh will be attending the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Unmanned Systems 2014, May 13-15 in Orlando, Fla., to demonstrate the benefits of TerraMax UGV technology and discuss the Cargo UGV project.

“The Cargo UGV project has pushed unmanned technology into the TWV realm like no other effort, and the results have proven how mature and ready TerraMax UGV technology is for use in the field,” said Chris Yakes, vice president of Advanced Products Engineering at Oshkosh Corporation. “We are eager to continue work with the ONR to further demonstrate the readiness level of UGVs and the interoperability of TerraMax technology with other mission systems.”

Under a contract through the Robotics Technology Consortium (RTC), Oshkosh and the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) will work with the ONR and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) to integrate ONR-specified counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) technologies onto the Cargo UGV MTVRs to demonstrate force protection advantages of semi-autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles for C-IED missions.

The TerraMax UGV system will be enhanced to intelligently incorporate C-IED payloads, such as ground-penetrating radar and mine roller systems, and the TerraMax OCU will provide over-the-horizon situational awareness to accompanying manned vehicles. The system is highly interoperable, using a widely adopted, non-proprietary open architecture messaging standard that enables modularity and easy integration of new subsystems.

The Cargo UGV project is being conducted as part of the ONR’s SIAFU program to demonstrate an integrated “system of systems” that provides on-the-move, autonomous and multi-platform explosive hazard defeat (EHD) capabilities. The current phase of work will culminate in a technology concept demonstration in 2015.

TerraMax UGV Technology

Oshkosh TerraMax UGV technology is designed as a modular appliqué kit that can be tightly integrated into modern production vehicles or retrofitted onto legacy platforms. Vehicles equipped with the TerraMax UGV technology can seamlessly collaborate with manned vehicles to carry out missions at full operational tempo. TerraMax UGVs function autonomously across varying terrains and in all weather conditions, day or night – and original vehicle payload and performance are retained.

Developed to support rapid deployment, troops can be trained to oversee TerraMax-equipped vehicles in only a few days to take advantage of an unsurpassed standoff and advance situational awareness capability. The user-friendly operator interface meets the unique demands of troops in the field, enabling warfighters to focus on mission success without undue distraction, and empowering a single operator to supervise multiple autonomous vehicles. Oshkosh is teamed with the NREC of Carnegie Mellon University for perception system and autonomy software development.

Oshkosh also is transitioning technologies from the TerraMax UGV system to provide active-safety features for the manned operation of vehicle fleets, including electronic stability control, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and electric power-assist steering.

Oshkosh representatives will be available to discuss Oshkosh TerraMax UGV technology and the company’s broad portfolio of vehicles, technologies and services at AUVSI booth #1022.

About Oshkosh Defense

Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For more than 90 years, Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax® unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of sustainment and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance.

To learn more about Oshkosh Defense, please visit us at www.oshkoshdefense.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, please visit to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

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