Combat unmanned ground apparatus Ripsaw-MS2
Most unmanned ground vehicle (UAV) developers use vehicles that move rather slowly and require relatively complex control, as well as lack effective 360-degree situational awareness. As a result, the enemy can quite easily maneuver faster than them and even neutralize them by coming very close to the BNA. The US Army is eyeing a much larger, more powerful, flexible and deadly work developed by Howe & Howe (H&H), known as "RipSaw Military Specification 2", provides many benefits that minimize this vulnerability. The Ripsaw-MS2 is being tested as a convoy guard and combat support vehicle.
Unmanned tracked vehicle RipSaw Military Spec 1 (MS1) is a test platform for testing advanced off-road capabilities. His ability to move quickly off-road caused the army to be interested in using him as a guardian angel of convoys. The device is able to move quickly with the column, without hindering the movement of the column itself, quickly examine the places of possible placement of the VCA or respond to the enemy’s fire from ambushes, suppress the sources of this fire, or tow vehicles that are stuck from the line of fire. Not so long ago, Ripsaw-MS1 demonstrated such capabilities during Robotics Rodeo at Fort Hood. In addition to the mission of protecting convoys, Ripsaw is able to perform other potential tasks, including perimeter defense, guarding, rescue, border patrolling, riot control and ammunition disposal.
Ripsaw uses multiple cameras to obtain a continuous circular (360 degrees) review, thereby providing the operator with "always" full situational awareness. In addition, the device is large enough that it is capable of carrying out so much effective perimeter protection so as not to let anyone get close. This active self-defense system uses modular ammunition selection control.
"Crowd Controls" M5 (Modular Crowd Control Munitions, MCCM) installed around the perimeter of the machine. Relying on this deterrent weaponRipsaw can rush into the crowd using MCCM stun grenades or use non-lethal rubber bullets to scare an approaching enemy from the vehicle. Similar weapons can also be used as offensive weapons. At Ripsaw, another payload has already been tested, including equipment to combat IEDs and mines.
Ripsaw MS2 is remotely controlled from the neighboring M113 BTR. However, as in a semi-autonomous car, many of its functions are computer controlled. The device is designed as a highly adaptable platform that can be integrated with many weapons systems and various payloads.
The height of the Ripsaw MS2 is just the 1.77 meter, so the unit is able to effectively fit into the landscape, disguised from enemy eyes. The low silhouette is also useful when using the unit as an advanced combat module; Ripsaw-MS2 has already been tested with 7.62-mm and 12.7-mm machine guns. BNA was also equipped with Javelin ATGMs, but combat shooting with them has not yet been conducted. The device was equipped with weapons by the US Army, Engineering Development Research Center (Armys Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, ARDEC) in Picatini Arsenal, New Jersey. The installation kit included a remote-controlled machine gun M240, which was controlled from a separate console installed in the escort vehicle.
Initially, the Ripsaw “drone tank” was designed as a “one-of-a-kind” project in a garage in the backyard. The developer, Howe and Howe Technologies, drew the attention of the US military after the device was introduced in the 2005 year at the DARPA Challenge.
Two years later, a small developing company entered into its first contract with the US Army, which transformed the device into a demonstrator of the capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles.
The current version of the device, called Ripsaw MS2, is larger, faster and more modular than the MS1 version. The device is capable, in spite of the considerable combat damage received, to still be quickly repaired in the field and return to full combat readiness the very next day. According to the manufacturer, unlike other vehicles, which, as a rule, cannot be repaired after a mine or IED, damaged Ripsaw can be "disassembled for parts" right on the spot and assembled in a fully combat-ready unit for one night.
Weighted in 4.5, tons of BNA Ripsaw MS2 are similar in size to the HMMWV. It can carry about one ton of payload and be controlled remotely or by a crew of two people, including the driver. The device is based on the chassis of a light tubular structure, obtained from NASCAR racing cars, driven by a liter diesel engine Duramax developing 6.6 horsepower from 650. and torque in 1356 Nm, thus providing an exceptional power to weight ratio for vehicles in this class. Fully armed and loaded, Ripsaw MS2 can accelerate from 0 to 80 km / h in just 5.5 seconds (!). Top speed is about 100 km / h. "Ripsaw is very fast and agile, he can easily replay the person," said Michael Howe, pointing out that this is not trivial for a BNA.
The high power-to-weight ratio, effective suspension and low ground pressure provide the Ripsaw MS2 with exceptional maneuverability. Its center of gravity is at a height of 70 cm, which results in high stability on a rise of 50 degrees and a side slope of 45 degrees. High ground clearance in 60 cm and relatively low weight, wide tracks and large suspension travel provide low ground pressure of 0.2 kg per square centimeter. This allows the device to overcome rough terrain at high speed, vertical obstacles up to 1.5 meters in height or move over obstacles such as a heavy tank.
An innovative mechanical clutch system that controls the hydrostatic transmission with a powerful, fast and simple mechanical drive is responsible for the rapid acceleration of the car, maneuverability and handling.
Professor's Note
The twin brothers Jeffrey and Michael Howe (Geoffrey and Michael Howe) of North Brunswick Maine, the founders and owners of Howe and Howe Technologies Inc. developed a relatively large tactical ground tracked unmanned vehicle for military purposes, called the Ripsaw Military Spec 1 UGV or Ripsaw MS1 UGV or Rip Saw MS1 UGV. Billed as the “fastest tracked vehicle in the world,” the Ripsaw MS1 is essentially an unmanned, militarized tracked all-terrain vehicle capable of speeding up to 60 km / h in just 4 seconds. The original BIPA Ripsaw (civilian version) could reach 60 km / h in about 3.5 seconds, as it was a little lighter, but not as durable as the militarized version. Initially, the planned Ripsaw speed was around 100km / h, but the Hou brothers found that remotely operating a BNA at a speed exceeding 60 km / h was scary and dangerous enough. According to Jeff Howe, even with 60 km / h, it’s pretty scary, and now they don’t see any tactical need to move faster with the BNA, although ultimately the decision will be made by the US military if they adopt the BNA.
The Hou brothers tried to make the device as simple as possible. The entire unit consists only of 8 components, including the engine and tubular chassis. The engine itself can be dismantled from the chassis in less than an hour. To replace the engine, it just needs to be lowered to the ground and raise the chassis. Well, almost like Zaporozhets. Simple maintenance is one of the main advantages of a car designed to attract customers. For the manufacture of the chassis, you need to cut about 1000 pipes, and therefore Ripsaw inventor Mike Howe invented a new pipe cutting technology that shortens the manufacturing time of the Ripsaw framework by 300-400%.
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