The semi-autonomous ARV is the largest unmanned
ground vehicle planned for the FCS program. It is expected to
become an integral element within platoon and companies of FCS-equipped
Brigade Combat Teams. A pair of ARVs will be transportable in
a single C-130 airplane. Both platforms will be equipped with
Autonomous Navigational System (ANS) and Aided Target Recognition
(ATR) providing the robotic vehicle with the capability to operate
semi-autonomously with minimal input from the operator.
Troops will deploy and control the ARVs at extended ranges.
The ARV will be controlled from operator crew stations located
inside manned ground vehicles or by FCS-Land Warrior-equipped
dismounted soldiers, using ARV remote control devices. The core
technologies enabling semi-autonomous operate will allow one
soldier to remotely control all aspects of the vehicle. The
ARVs will feature additional capabilities including chemical
detection, anti-tampering, and battle command and communications
equipment.
Two versions of ARV are planned, a reconnaissance, surveillance
and target acquisition platform (ARV-R) and an assault platform
(ARV-A). The two variants will share a common chassis.
ARV-A
ARV Assault is designed to accompany FCS platoons equipped
with Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV). The vehicle will weigh
9.3 tons, have a length of 237" (602 cm), hull width of
99" (251 cm) and height of 96.5" (245 cm). The vehicle
will mount anti-tank missiles, an automatic cannon and a high-rate-of-fire,
suppressive machine gun. The assault variant will features an
electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor.
ARV-R
The ARV-R (RSTA) variant will be assigned to FCS platoons equipped
with Mounted Combat Systems and Reconnaissance and Surveillance
manned ground vehicles. The mission payload to be used by the
ARV-R will be the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition
(RSTA) sensor suite, providing long-range standard and thermal
imagery, as well as laser targeting capability. The ARV-R will
feature a RSTA suite mounted on a telescoping mast; it will
carry a cannon for self defense, will have the capability to
disperse unattended ground sensors and conduct battle damage
assessments. It will have a length of 76", (447 cm), significantly
shorted than the ARV-A
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