Lawrenceville-based RE2 Robotics has picked up $1 million in funding from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) to create a robotics system that can autonomously refuel military helicopters.
Named Remote Robotic Refueling for Extended Missions (R3EM), the RE2 project will aim to autonomously refuel AH-64 Apache helicopters that are active in the field. It's being developed as part of the Autonomous and Robotic Remote Refueling Point (AR3P) program, which is managed by the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, California.
“The R3EM program enables RE2 to apply its next-generation autonomy software and history of robotic arm expertise to a new outdoor application within the Department of Defense,” Jorgen Pedersen, president and CEO of RE2 Robotics, said in a prepared statement. “The technology being developed as a result of this aircraft servicing program strategically aligns with our ongoing expansion into the commercial aviation market.”
RE2’s proprietary perception software will be used as part of the R3EM project to control a "highly dexterous" robotic arm from RE2 which will be mounted onto an unmanned ground vehicle with additional fuel reserves. That vehicle will autonomously position itself to provide additional fuel for a helicopter in need, and the RE2 robotic arm will link the two together. The system will also be able to automatically detect when fueling is complete and detach itself from the helicopter.
As part of the program, RE2 announced it will partner with Pratt Miller Defense, the supplier of the trackless moving targets (TMT-I) rugged mobile base for the program.
“Upon a pilot’s command, this system will quickly and efficiently remove a fuel line from a stored location, engage the fuel line with the Apache helicopter, and then move it back into a stowed position, completely autonomously,” Dr. Amanda Sgroi, director of computer vision and autonomy for RE2 Robotics, said in the statement. “Because the system is unmanned, it will enable troops to extend the range of their missions while eliminating the need for soldiers to remain isolated at refueling stations, further reducing the size of a mission’s logistical footprint.”
