8:00 Utilizing Microsystems For The Warfighter: Applications For Advanced Microsystems From The Army Research Laboratory

In complex terrain, such as caves and mountains, or an urban environment, autonomous platforms provide operational capabilities to the warfighter that would otherwise be costly, impossible, or deadly to achieve. Future enhancements to warfighting capabilities require a reduction in platform size and the cohesive operation of multiple platforms that operate with little or no direct human supervision and can support personnel operating in a variety of dangerous environments. The Army Research Laboratory has therefore established a Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology Collaborative Technology Alliance to perform enabling research and transition technology that will enhance warfighter's tactical situational awareness in urban and complex terrain by enabling the autonomous operation of a collaborative ensemble of multifunctional, mobile microsystem.

Topics to be covered:

• Evaluation of critical design factors
• The fundamental underpinnings for autonomous operation of distributed, mobile, multi-modal sensing micro-systems
• Applications for military use

How you will benefit:

• Develop an understanding of mechanics for small UAVs / UGVs needed to obtain desired mobility objectives
• Learn about microsystem architectures through the development and application of modeling and design tools, and through experimentation and analysis

Dr. Joseph Mait
Collaborative Alliance Manager, Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology
Army Research Laboratory

10:00 Autonomous UGV Focus: Fielding Systems Of Multiple UGVs With Varying Levels Of Autonomy

The world has been controlling vehicles using tele-op control devices for half a century now. We are all aware that operators find it difficult to control vehicles beyond line of sight communications, and also find that operator fatigue is a very real and costly problem. In addition, there are no economies of scale that take place by having a single user control a single vehicle remotely.

Understanding this challenge, delegates have the opportunity to discuss “User Supervised Autonomy” along with other vehicle control solutions that will provide enhanced capabilities to many military and industrial applications. These technologies have been tested in markets such as military, mining, agriculture, public safety, area security, training, and more.

Topics to be covered:

• Multi-vehicle coordination and control
• Distributed control using JAUS
• Enhanced tele-op with 3-D immersive display
• Retrofit vehicle automation

How you will benefit:

• Multi-vehicle control: lessons learned and steps moving forward
• Know how to take JAUS to the next level of distributed control
• Understand 3-D technologies that reduce operator fatigue
• Learn when to use retrofit kits vs. custom vehicle integration

Mr. Paul Lewis
Director of Software Engineering
Autonomous Solutions. Inc.

1:00 Effectiveness Of Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) In Army Aviation

Technology has significantly enhanced our ability to detect and monitor the health and condition of critical components in Army aviation. By combining these technological advances with the existing systems for vibration analysis, we have developed a maintenance management program based on the health condition of the components rather than time-driven inspections and replacements. One vibration analysis program, the Health Usage and Management System (HUMS), developed for the UH-60 Blackhawk, was examined in this study. The purpose of this session is to determine whether Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) provides a distinct advantage over phase or time-driven inspections and component replacement in Army Aviation.

Topics to be covered:

• How to transition to a CBM approach to maintenance
• Available data on logistics, usage, maintenance, supply, missions, and training procedures

How you will benefit:

• Implement a strategy to comprehensively synchronize multiple weapon systems
• Develop a roadmap to investigate the transformation of CBM

Dr. Abdel Bayoumi
Director of CBM Research Center
University of South Carolina

2:30 Modeling And Microstructure Design For Corrosion And Endurance

This workshop will cover the development of a processing methodology for improving strength and corrosion resistance properties of carburizing stainless steel (CSS-42L) through surface carburization prior to aging and heat treatment. CSS-42L will be evaluated by various modifications to the tempering and quenching temperatures. Examples of analytical and modeling tools will demonstrate the surface modification process parameters such as hardness and residual stress through thickness.

We will extend the above methodology to include the modeling and processing in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). This will provide an overview of the processing methodologies and degradation mechanisms and the modeling of the microstructure and processing for improved life and efficiency.

Topics to be covered:

• Learn about new technology in metal treatment
• Discover predicting capabilities to combat corrosion
• Gain insights into new analysis of materials

How you will benefit:

• See advances in corrosion prevention
• Learn unique material treatment procedures
• Improve your analysis of corrosion characteristics
• Improve your knowledge of deposition methodologies for SOFC
• Learn about the modeling efforts in porous electrode materials

Dr. Hamid Garmestani and Dr. Preet Singh
Professors at Georgia Institute of Technology