The U.S. Army awarded Cybernet Systems Corp. a $3 million award, including options, to produce prototypes for an Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) Remote Control System (RCS).

The objective of this teleoperation prototype project is to engineer the next generation ABV RCS solution that is needed to keep solders out of danger during a breach mission. This vehicle safety technology mitigates capability gaps in stand-off distances to detect, breach, neutralize, destroy, and force protection against a broad spectrum of explosive hazards and obstacles (manmade or natural), while still creating freedom to maneuver.

The ABV is a heavy, tracked engineering asset capable of breaching minefields and complex obstacles to enable passage of the Army’s maneuver element through the breach. The RCS provides the option for either manned or unmanned capability to complete the breach mission set of the ABV; the ability to breach complex obstacles and minefields, while offsetting soldiers from enemy fire.

To develop the ABV RCS, Cybernet is leveraging existing vehicle autonomy technology platform and over 20 years of experience in designing, developing, and integrating retrofit kits for remote control, tele-operation, smart driver assist, and autonomous vehicle operation. The solution leverages actuators, cameras, sensors, and radios previously used to remote control military vehicles along with other proven technologies to reduce development time and overall project risk.

“This award will demonstrate how industry technologies increase soldier safety in the field. The ABV was first deployed and used on a large scale by the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan,” Brandon Card, Executive Director at DATC, said. “We look forward to seeing this remote operated vehicle prototype project lead to modernization of the ABV fleet.”