Grand Challenge 2008 - UKGrand Challenge UK - 2008 Characterizing the Mission
Some of the concepts evaluated during the UK Grand Challenge competition focused on different combination of aerial and ground autonmous systems operated in synchronization and mutual support. Others focused on ground swarms, constellations and formations of ground vehicles or unmanned hoevring aerial vehicles. (more...)
Patrolling in urban environments against an evolving and rapidly changing threat is an ongoing element of current operations for UK Armed Forces.
Recent developments in unmanned systems have seen a revolution in the way intelligence is collected and relayed to commanders. However, current in-service systems focus on long-range, high-flying operations providing a strategic surveillance and reconnaissance capability.
Recent advances in the technology, safety and flexibility of unmanned systems mean their great potential to assist short-range, reactive operations, such as urban patrols can be realistically considered. Such systems need to be operable by small numbers of troops at very short notice, with the minimal amount of user input. This requires the system to have a high degree of autonomy and to be effective it must have the capability to reliably identify threats to the troops and relay them quickly to the commander.
Copehill Down Village is the largest fighting in built-up areas (FIBUA) training facility in Europe. The village is used for pre-deployment training for UK and Allied armed forces, providing troops with essential skills for urban operations. Built in 1986, Copehill Down resembles a small northern European town, complete with a church, school, hotel and bar. The site is approximately 350m by 450m. The village contains around 80 buildings and includes a more recently build section based on an Iraqi village.
