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U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command photo
In this image featuring colored graphics representing a variety of communication systems, evaluators can monitor real-time imagery of the Convoy Active Safety Technology system maintaining a constant line of communication with a lead vehicle. Nevada soldiers were among the first military drivers to test the system Nov. 14 at the Nevada Automotive Test Center near Silver Springs.
SILVER SPRINGS, Nev. — Nevada National Guard soldiers were among the first military drivers to experiment with a new convoy safety system on Nov. 14 during a test session at the Nevada Automotive Test Center.
The amazing technology provides nearly autonomous vehicle operation. Twenty-five soldiers from the 593rd Transportation Company and the 1864th Transportation Company participated in the testing.
The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center worked with Lockheed Martin to successfully upgrade the military’s Convoy Active Safety Technology system. The improved system was put to the test for the first time by Nevada Army Guard soldiers here at this test center located near historic Fort Churchill in central Nevada.
The convoy safety system, projected to be fully incorporated into the military within five years, features an automated, robot-controlled capability that promises to decrease driver workload and fatigue while simultaneously increasing situational awareness and reducing vehicle collisions. Rear-end collisions are one of the leading causes of convoy breakdown in theater.
The system provides both lateral and longitudinal control of various tactical vehicles relative to a lead vehicle. The overall goal is to improve convoy safety, security, survivability and sustainment.
The system’s ability to switch from a manual to an automatic mode with the push of a button provides a soldier instantaneous manual control of the vehicle.
The system maintains a pre-set distance between vehicles and automatically adjusts vehicle speed. It can also shift gears, maneuver corners and navigate varying terrain.
Although the system is capable of operating completely on its own, it will not replace convoy drivers.
In autonomous mode, the vehicle will avoid or stop if an obstacle suddenly appears and can automatically assume command if the lead vehicle becomes inoperable.
Some system features include single-button operation, obstacle detection and avoidance, limited visibility operations, incursion handling and night-vision driving.
“The concept has a lot of potential for reducing rear-end collisions and improving overall safety in a combat situation,” said 1st Sgt. Paul Kinsey, operations sergeant for the Nevada contingent during testing.
The CAST system has made significant advancements since its initial testing at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., in the fall of 2007. Notable improvements since 2007 include a 93 percent reduction in manual control takeovers, a 25 percent increase in operator target awareness, and more than 100 miles of continuous autonomy with a 50 mph-speed capability on paved roads and 35 mph-speed capability on dirt roads.
The current set of experiments, named Warfighter Experiment II, began on Oct. 12 at the Nevada test center. More than 30 TARDEC employees spent five weeks testing CAST on light and medium tactical vehicles and M915 tractors.
The site was chosen because the area resembles southwest-Asian terrain. The experiment highlighted Nevada’s potential for becoming a prime site for future combat equipment testing.
“We have simulators set up of mission profiles for Iraq and Afghanistan. The center allows for longer distance testing which gives the driver a better feel for system functioning,” said Henry Hodges Jr., NATC president.
The amazing technology provides nearly autonomous vehicle operation. Twenty-five soldiers from the 593rd Transportation Company and the 1864th Transportation Company participated in the testing.
The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center worked with Lockheed Martin to successfully upgrade the military’s Convoy Active Safety Technology system. The improved system was put to the test for the first time by Nevada Army Guard soldiers here at this test center located near historic Fort Churchill in central Nevada.
The convoy safety system, projected to be fully incorporated into the military within five years, features an automated, robot-controlled capability that promises to decrease driver workload and fatigue while simultaneously increasing situational awareness and reducing vehicle collisions. Rear-end collisions are one of the leading causes of convoy breakdown in theater.
The system provides both lateral and longitudinal control of various tactical vehicles relative to a lead vehicle. The overall goal is to improve convoy safety, security, survivability and sustainment.
The system’s ability to switch from a manual to an automatic mode with the push of a button provides a soldier instantaneous manual control of the vehicle.
The system maintains a pre-set distance between vehicles and automatically adjusts vehicle speed. It can also shift gears, maneuver corners and navigate varying terrain.
Although the system is capable of operating completely on its own, it will not replace convoy drivers.
In autonomous mode, the vehicle will avoid or stop if an obstacle suddenly appears and can automatically assume command if the lead vehicle becomes inoperable.
Some system features include single-button operation, obstacle detection and avoidance, limited visibility operations, incursion handling and night-vision driving.
“The concept has a lot of potential for reducing rear-end collisions and improving overall safety in a combat situation,” said 1st Sgt. Paul Kinsey, operations sergeant for the Nevada contingent during testing.
The CAST system has made significant advancements since its initial testing at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., in the fall of 2007. Notable improvements since 2007 include a 93 percent reduction in manual control takeovers, a 25 percent increase in operator target awareness, and more than 100 miles of continuous autonomy with a 50 mph-speed capability on paved roads and 35 mph-speed capability on dirt roads.
The current set of experiments, named Warfighter Experiment II, began on Oct. 12 at the Nevada test center. More than 30 TARDEC employees spent five weeks testing CAST on light and medium tactical vehicles and M915 tractors.
The site was chosen because the area resembles southwest-Asian terrain. The experiment highlighted Nevada’s potential for becoming a prime site for future combat equipment testing.
“We have simulators set up of mission profiles for Iraq and Afghanistan. The center allows for longer distance testing which gives the driver a better feel for system functioning,” said Henry Hodges Jr., NATC president.
