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Robotic Recovery System

The Government was seeking in 2019 to identify sources capable of designing and building Robotic Platforms that can retrieve other robots in the weight class of small (0 to 3000 pounds) to large unmanned ground systems (3000 to 6000 pounds). The Army envisioned utilizing small to medium robotic platforms for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition missions in peacekeeping and full spectrum combat operations. During these operations robotic platforms once employed will encounter various obstacles including sunken roads, negative terrain (depressions and holes), mudded swamps, streams and man- made traps. There is a high likelihood that these platforms if downed, mired or overturned will require external assistance to effect a retrieval and recovery in order to continue operations.

Currently, the Army employs soldiers to retrieve robots requiring a soldier to expose themselves while employing a cable, rope or other means and assisted by other soldiers or a conventional military wrecker with a winch. A rope or winch line is manhandled by a soldier to the downed robot, connected at some attachment point on the robot and then winched to a location where it can be maintained and/or lifted onto a hauling platform. The Army seeks sources that can produce recovery robots weighing not more than 7000 pounds and that have the ability to winch, tow and/or carry as a piggyback a downed robots and if required evacuate it to a maintenance point approximately two miles from the retrieval location.

This recovery platform must be capable of laterally traversing, in forward and reverse, on dry hard surface slopes of 30% and must be capable of climbing and descending, in forward and reverse, on dry hard surface slopes of 60%. As a threshold, the SMET recovery system must also be capable of laterally traversing all slopes with < 25% degradation in capability. The recovery system must carry a fully loaded SMET L/S while laterally traversing, in forward and reverse, on slopes of 40% and must be capable of climbing and descending, in forward and reverse, on slopes of 70%.

The recovery system shall extract a fully loaded SMET L/S which can weight up to 4000lbs. A mechanism to load a disabled SMET on top of the recovery platform is anticipated. This will call for a recovery system that is likely 3x the weight of a loaded SMET. The estimated power needed is 70-120 HP. On board capabilities such as a 10k winch, and a manipulator arm are required to extract a disabled SMET from a ditch, mire or overturned scenario. The minimum lifting capacity of the manipulator arm at full extension shall be 500lbs.

During tow and transport the SMET Recovery platform shall maintain a minimum speed of 15 MPH over unimproved surfaces. The power and weight ratios described will enable the recovery system to perform the operation safely while maintaining critical mass and low center of gravity when in motion.