‘Fuel Truck of the Electrified Battlefield’
Indiana-based DD DANNAR LLC has selected Robotic Research to provide the autonomous driving system for its Mobile Power Station (MPS) zero-emission work vehicles.
The companies demonstrated the fully autonomous DANNAR 4.00 MPS at the Electric & Unmanned Logistics Demo Day at MCAS Miramar on 23 June. They showed how the unmanned vehicle can be used to deliver supplies and energy on the battlefield. The platform’s energy storage capacity places it in a prime position to be the ‘fuel truck of the electrified battlefield.’
“[DANNAR produces] off-road, heavy-duty, al l-electric platforms that are already very versatile. Now add to them our robust autonomy solutions, and you have a platform that’s clean, intelligent, and ready to tackle a host of missions at home or abroad,” commented Robotic Research COO, Edward Motten. “We believe that autonomy has a major role to play in both civilian infrastructure and the modern battlefield.”
The DANNAR 4.00 MPS base configuration comes with 125kWh BMW i3 Li-Ion batteries, but can be upgraded with up to 504kWh of onboard electricity, to serve as a mobile micro-grid while carrying hydraulic tools. Tough and durable, the base MPS model can operate in four feet of water, weighs approximately 15,000lbs and can carry up to 15,000lbs in payload.
“Given their utility, our MPS vehicles are often deployed in environments that are not always safe for operators,” explained Gary Dannar, President and CEO. “The autonomous capability available through Robotic Research gives our customers yet another way to achieve their goals while keeping personnel safe.”
