Lockheed Martin Demonstrate Capabilities of SMSS UGV Via Satellite Control

By Caroline Rees / 19 Feb 2013

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

The SMSS Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle

Lockheed Martin completed a successful demonstration at Camp Grayling, Mich., recently in which its Squad Mission Support System (SMSS™) was being controlled via satellite from more than 200 miles away.

The SMSS vehicle conducted several battlefield surveillance operations while being controlled beyond line-of-sight via satellite from the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren, Mich.

“These demonstrations allow the Army development communities to better understand capabilities available to them with SMSS right now,” said Joe Zinecker, director of combat maneuver systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We are showing our customers innovative ways to employ SMSS vehicles in missions while demonstrating that we are ready to move from technology development to fielding these valuable and mature new capabilities.”

The demonstration proved that the combination of autonomy, vehicle mobility, surveillance sensors and satellite communications can provide a means of battlefield situational awareness while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. During the demonstration, SMSS was equipped with a Gyrocam 9M Tactical Surveillance Sensor and a General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies “SATCOM-On-the-Move” system.

SMSS incorporated an adjustable-height mast with the Gyrocam 9M, acquiring on-the-move, high-resolution electro-optical and thermal video. In testing, the SMSS movement and sensor functions were controlled from the remote station via tele-operation, demonstrating control of the vehicle through the satellite. In another simulated mission, the operator provided a pre-planned route and SMSS autonomy allowed navigation with minimal operator intervention, while other autonomous functions, such as follow-me, go-to-point and retro-traverse, were also demonstrated.

Lockheed Martin conducted several demonstrations of the SMSS for the U.S. Army during 2012, outfitting the vehicle with different mission equipment packages to conduct logistics, counter-IED, mobility, dismounted-soldier support, and reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. Four SMSS vehicles were successfully tested by soldiers in Afghanistan in 2012 as transport and logistics vehicles to lighten the load for soldiers in combat operations.

“The concept of an affordable common mobility platform coupled with specialized mission equipment packages is the right answer for UGVs to reduce development, production and sustainment costs, while providing maximum flexibility for commanders,” Zinecker said. “SMSS continues to demonstrate its readiness to move into the next phase of the Army’s UGV roadmap.”

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is a 2012 recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for performance excellence. The Malcolm Baldrige Award represents the highest honor that can be awarded to American companies for their achievements in leadership, strategic planning, customer relations, measurement, analysis, workforce excellence, operations and results.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Who to see at Xponential 2025

UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com are thrilled to be working with so many companies attending AUVSI's Xponential this year...

May 12, 2025
GuideNav: Top MEMS IMUs for UAV Flight Control

GuideNav examines MEMS IMU selection for UAV control, comparing accuracy bands and performance levels across consumer, industrial, and military-grade applications

May 12, 2025
Aurora Flight Sciences Advances sUAS Range with New Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences has enhanced its SKIRON-X sUAS range to improve flight performance and simplify operation

May 12, 2025
ATL Fuel Bladders for Unmanned Systems to Feature at XPO25

Aero Tec Laboratories (ATL) will present its latest fuel bladder technologies for unmanned systems at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting solutions for air, land, and sea

May 12, 2025
uAvionix Unveils Wearable ADS-B Receiver for UAS Operations

uAvionix announces skyAlert, a rugged, wearable ADS-B receiver purpose-built for professional UAS pilots and their visual observers

May 12, 2025
ParaZero Secures European Order for Drone Parachute Safety System

ParaZero receives a significant European order for its SafeAir™ M4 system, highlighting rising demand for advanced drone safety solutions in high-regulation markets

May 12, 2025

Featured Content

New Tactical Grade IMU from Inertial Labs for UAVs & Guided Munitions

Inertial Labs has launched the IMU-H100, a compact, tactical-grade MEMS IMU designed to enhance precision navigation for UAVs and guided systems

May 08, 2025
Geolocation in GPS-Denied Environments Successfully Demonstrated

Trillium Engineering's GD-Loc, integrated with the HD55-MV gimbal on a Group 2 UAS, has successfully demonstrated sustained Category 1 geolocation accuracy within six meters, highlighting its critical advantage for precise ISR missions in GPS-denied environments

May 06, 2025
Spexi + LayerDrone: A New Era of Aerial Intelligence

Imagine a real-time, crowd-sourced map of Earth. Spexi, powered by LayerDrone, pays drone pilots to capture ultra-detailed imagery, offering organizations data that’s faster, cheaper, and more precise than traditional methods

Apr 29, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.