Common Dynamics Land Techniques, a enterprise unit of Common Dynamics, delivered to the U.S. Military an preliminary tranche of 16 Small Multipurpose Tools Transport (S-MET) automobiles, making them the primary floor robots of their type in Military historical past. Based mostly upon GD’s Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT), the S-MET is an eight-wheeled, enabling robotic expertise for the dismounted Soldier. It lightens the load as an equipment-carrying “robotic mule” but in addition has built-in flexibility for large number of fight, fight assist and fight service assist capabilities and payloads. That includes a hybrid-electric powertrain, it gives expeditionary energy era and is operated by a single-hand distant management.
“We’re proud to ship this breakthrough unmanned floor car functionality,” mentioned Gordon Stein, vice chairman and common supervisor of U.S. operations at Common Dynamics Land Techniques. “By our partnership with the Military, Common Dynamics Land Techniques has remained at the forefront of robotic fight automobiles which might be designed to alleviate Troopers of lifeless, soiled and harmful missions now and into the long run.”
Commercial
Common Dynamics Land Techniques received the Military’s competitors for the S-MET program in 2020. Common Dynamics Land Techniques gives revolutionary design, engineering, expertise, manufacturing and full life-cycle assist for land fight automobiles across the globe. The corporate’s intensive expertise, customer-first focus and seasoned provide chain community present unmatched capabilities to the U.S. navy and its allies. The S-MET is an autonomous 8×8 all-terrain car capable of carry dismounted troopers’ water, ammunition, and different gear and equipment. The car is designed to be an unmanned system, however may also be optionally manned, and might carry 1,000 lb (454 kg) whereas additionally touring for distances of greater than 97 km in 72 hours.
Common Dynamics’ present contract was the Military’s second try at an award after the primary deal was terminated following a profitable protest from Textron, which claimed GD considerably altered its design following a soldier analysis through the OTA interval. Following the protest choice, the Military restarted the competitors in February and despatched new Request for Proposals to the 4 authentic rivals: GD, Polaris [PII], HDT Expeditionary Techniques and Textron’s Howe & Howe. The US Military in the end acquired three bids for the ultimate SMET contract, then awarding the deal to Common Dynamics.
