Military

Small Multi-purpose Equipment Transport (SMET)

ARA formed Team Polaris in 2017 to support the Army’s SMET program with a robotic version of the Polaris MRZR called the MRZR® X . ARA was the prime contractor and was also responsible for “roboticizing” and integrating Multi-Mission Payloads (MMPs) from a variety of vendors. Neya Systems (Neya), a wholly owned subsidiary of ARA and a non-traditional defense company, was responsible for interoperability (IOP) compliant software and vehicle autonomy. Polaris Defense (Polaris), also a non-traditional defense contractor and an integral part of Polaris Industries, Inc. designed, developed and manufactured the manned MRZR® X. ARA procured the manned vehicle from Polaris and turned it into an optionally manned/unmanned system for timely delivery to the Army for SMET. Under a separate Army contract, Neya is currently using the MRZR® X to develop advanced, semi- autonomous capabilities for the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program.

The MRZR® X  is a hybrid-electric, turbo diesel platform that offers two modes of optionally manned performance: pure electric, for silent drive and silent watch; and a parallel hybrid mode for extended range, past 200 miles without refueling. The MRZR® X generates power using military common heavy fuels to provide the Warfighter with ease of logistics. Additionally, the MRZR® X has a military-grade Controller Area Network (CAN) Interface Module (CIM™) that provides a secure autonomous interface with the by-wire network on the platform. This architecture provides the Government an A-Kit / B-Kit relationship pioneered under the Autonomous Mobility Applique System (AMAS) program.

ARA integrated and demonstrated to the Army an array of “plug-and-play” MMPs on the SMET platform, including a CROWS Remote Weapon Station outfitted with the Dillon M134 mini-gun, an Arnold Defense Fletcher 4-tube, 2.75” rocket launcher, a Thales Federated Communications package, the TACFLIR 230 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) camera, and the FLIR Black Hornet untethered UAS, among others. All of the payloads were IOP compliant and could be operated from the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) app, making command and control both efficient and effective.

ARA pilots received training on the FLIR Black Hornet, and proceeded to integrate the system mechanically and electrically onto the robotic MRZR-X. The platform and VRS were controlled using video and telemetry streams into ATAK, the Army’s Android-based battlefield management app running on the soldier operator’s MPU-5 radio. A USB joystick was plugged directly into this radio and the UAV could be launched and controlled from this application, and onboard video was streamed directly to a hardwired tablet also connected to the radio for viewing.