FORT IRWIN, Calif. – A team from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently played a key role in a major Army exercise called Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5). During this event, ERDC’s Robotics for Engineer Operations (REO) put their robotic technologies to the test in realistic, hands-on scenarios that simulate combat situations, showing how systems perform and hold up under pressure, making an important contribution to Army readiness.
PC-C5, a multinational military experiment held at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, allows emerging technologies to be evaluated in combat conditions. For teams like ERDC's REO, it is a vital opportunity to test their innovations in real-world environments. As part of the Army's ongoing modernization efforts, PC-C5 brings together joint and multinational forces to address complex challenges and advance the future of warfare.
“In a demanding environment, the REO platforms demonstrated consistent success in completing their missions,” said Dr. Ahmet Soylemezoglu, systems engineer at ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) and REO project lead. “This experiment not only validated ERDC's cutting-edge capabilities in a realistic military setting, but also provided invaluable feedback from the Soldiers who will ultimately benefit from, and rely on, these advancements. Their insights are shaping the future of our research and development.”
During a training exercise to simulate how different branches of the Army work together, the REO team demonstrated a tele-operated bulldozer and a fully autonomous Engineer Site Characterization Demonstrator (SCD). The SCD quickly scouted and mapped the obstacle belt, identifying physical barriers, challenging terrain features and the edge of the simulated land mines, and providing Army engineers with real-time intelligence to ensure safe passage for military vehicles along that route. Afterward, the unmanned bulldozer was operated remotely via the Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI) to clear the lane and dig vehicle fighting positions from a distance.
This demonstration highlights a major leap forward in combat engineering and battlefield safety. By using remotely operated systems, Soldiers can perform high-risk tasks such as clearing mines and digging defenses without exposing themselves to direct danger. It is a clear example of how advanced technology is transforming how the military fights and protects forces on the ground.
The REO team is comprised of research engineers from ERDC’s CERL, Geotechnical & Structures Laboratory (GSL), Geospatial Research Laboratory and Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), who all collaborate to deliver robotic capabilities for military use. More than 20 ERDC researchers were involved in PC-C5 to test the technology in the field, gaining valuable insights into remote control and Beyond Line of Sight operations.
"Seeing Robotic and Autonomous System technologies operated by Soldiers in real-world conditions creates the critical feedback loop that allows ERDC to rapidly iterate and improve our systems,” said Dr. Anton Netchaev, a research scientist with ERDC's ITL. “The direct interaction between Soldiers and our scientists and engineers provides invaluable insights, accelerating development timelines and ensuring the capabilities we deliver are truly operationally relevant."
Team members from the ITL support the REO program by participating in all aspects of the research and development, including autonomy algorithm development, edge computer design and mechatronics engineering. ITL collaborates with other ERDC teams to develop tele-operated and semi-autonomous site characterization and heavy equipment platforms. ERDC’s GSL also contributed to the success of the demonstration through their Modeling and Simulation for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (M&S MUM-T) team and the Virtual Autonomous Navigation Environment Remote Breaching Simulator (VANE-RBS), which supported the REO project during the Combined Arms Breach operations.
“While working with the REO team from CERL and ITL, we gained valuable feedback from Soldiers and other military equipment operators on our modeling and simulation (M&S) capabilities,” said Josh Fairley, research electrical engineer at ERDC GSL. “Witnessing this exercise live and watching the Soldiers and robotic and autonomous ground vehicles operate that we supported via our M&S technologies, the VANE-RBS, was a very rewarding and gratifying experience.”
To bring these technologies to life, ERDC’s REO team is also collaborating with industry and academia partners, including Caterpillar, Trimble, Neya Systems, the University of Illinois, Michigan Technological University and Texas A&M. Additionally, they work closely with government agencies such as the Ground Vehicle Systems Center and the Army Research Laboratory.
“Events like PC-C5 not only provide a great opportunity for ERDC to showcase our technologies, but also allow us to develop new connections and collaboration opportunities with team members of other Army agencies,” Fairley added. “As with all physical demonstrations, problems arise and need solving. These opportunities always give ERDC team members a chance to demonstrate leadership and develop innovative solutions to overcome challenges in ways that could not happen back in the office or laboratory.”
ERDC's success at PC-C5 highlights the growing impact of robotics and unmanned systems in modern military operations. The team's innovative technologies are shaping the future of combat, improving Soldier safety and mission effectiveness. The insights gained will drive continued advancements, ensuring the Army stays ahead on the battlefield.