Infantry Support
NREC designed, developed, field tested and successfully demonstrated a high-mobility tactical unmanned ground vehicle (TUGV) for the United States Marine Corps. This rugged, highly mobile TUGV was designed to support expeditionary units operating ahead of the main force. It includes a six-wheeled base unit, interchangeable mission payload modules, and a wireless data link. TUGV is operated with a hand-held controller and helmet-mounted view screen; the entire operator control unit (OCU) fits in a backpack.
Application
TUGV gives infantry a way to remotely perform combat tasks, which reduces risk and neutralizes threats. It is designed to support dismounted infantry in missions that span the range of military operations. Missions that TUGV can perform include:
- Day and night reconnaissance
- Remote surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA)
- Detecting nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) agents
- Obstacle breaching
- Direct fire
TUGV’s operator and supported unit can remain concealed when it goes into action, adding to operator safety.
Capabilities
- TUGV is capable of fast off-road driving in extreme terrain and can withstand harsh environments and high altitudes.
- All-wheel drive with run-flat tires ensures mobility under hazardous conditions.
- Quiet hybrid-electric drive supports missions up to 24 hours long (4 hours on battery power alone).
- Versatile payload modules, open hardware, and JAUS-compliant, modular software allow quick mission reconfiguration.
- Universal tactical mounts for M249 and M240G machine guns, Soldier-Launched Multi-purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW), Light Vehicle Obscuration Smoke System (LVOSS) and Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS).
- Operator control unit (OCU) has a rugged, helmet-mounted display with a game controller-style hand controller and lightweight CPU, all of which fit into a backpack.
- The OCU also has a built-in omnidirectional antenna, throat microphone and earpiece. A remote data terminal can act as a spare OCU.
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