Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) Vehicle Will Improve Soldier Mobility, Survivability and Lethality

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA490301 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The Army is on the cusp of a paradigm shift. It has been mandated that one-third of Army vehicles are to be robotic beginning in 2015. So what progress is the Army making Just around the corner is a new breed of robots that will impact how the Army moves and fights. This journal article describes the MULE. The MULE is the multifunctional vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control LM MFC as part of the Armys Future Combat Systems FCS program. The MULE is a family of unmanned ground vehicles UGVs that will be in the 7,000 pound class of medium robots. Within 20 years, the MULE will be commonplace in every brigade in the Army. What makes these systems unique is the mobility, processing power, networked connectivity, and robot size. The MULE family consists of three robotic vehicles the MULE Transport MULE-T, the MULE Countermine MULE-C, and the Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assault Light ARV-AL. Each variant will lighten Soldier burdens in the near future. The MULE family is based on a common mobility platform that serves as the vehicles backbone. The common mobility platform is a 6-wheeled chassis housing power and propulsion systems, computers, Autonomous Navigation System ANS hardware, and vehicle cooling components. By using this common mobility platform, maintenance will be simplified and common across formations. This will ease logistics burdens for multiple spare parts as well as decrease the amount of training Soldiers will need to conduct repairs. Power and propulsion within the common mobility platform will provide a vehicle that has extreme capabilities for its weight. With its engineering model, the Engineering Evaluation Unit EEU, the MULE has demonstrated power to tow a vehicle 3.5 times heavier than itself. This flexibility will allow the robot to support limited vehicle recovery operations within brigades, freeing Soldiers and equipment from these dull and sometimes dangerous tasks.

Author(s):
Byers, D. B.
Author Organization(s):
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (ACQUISITION LOGISTICS AND TECHNOLOGY) FORT BELVOIR VA
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Supplementary Note:
Published in Army AL&T, p27-29, Apr-Jun 2008.
Pagination:
0004

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
USAASC/VA
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.1.1_Maneuver to Engage; JCA_3.1_Maneuver; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_4.2_Supply; JCA_4.2.1_Manage Supplies and Equipment; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5.5.2_Task; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_6.1_Information Transport
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Human Systems
Descriptor(s):
*GROUND VEHICLES, *RECONNAISSANCE, *ROBOTS, *CARGO VEHICLES, *ARMY, *AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION, *MINE COUNTERMEASURES, FIRE CONTROL SYSTEMS, FIREPOWER, LAND MINES, LETHALITY, MINE DETECTION, MILITARY VEHICLES, SURVIVABILITY, PAYLOAD, MULTIMISSION, REPRINTS, MOBILITY
Field(s)/Group(s):
Cybernetics, Surface Transportation and Equipment, Land Mine Warfare, Combat Vehicles
Keyword(s):
*UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLES, *MULE(MULTIFUNCTIONAL UTILITY LOGISTICS AND EQUIPMENT), UGV(UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLES), ARMY VEHICLES, FCS(FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEM), MULE T(MULE TRANSPORT), MULE C(MULE COUNTERMINE), ARV A(L)(ARMED ROBOTIC VEHICLE ASSAULT LIGHT)
Report Date:
2008 Jun 01
Creation Date:
2008 Dec 24