Autonomous Robotic Munitions Loader

The Air Force has an acute need for a next-generation munitions handling technology to replace its current fleet of aging bomb-lift vehicles. The goal of this effort is to develop and deploy a compact, rugged, highly versatile system capable of supporting all current and planned weapons systems. The proposed Autonomous Robotic Munitions Loader (ARML) is a high-payload robotic handling system capable of performing munitions uploading and downloading tasks with unprecedented speed and precision. The use of flexible robotics allows a single handling system to accommodate a wide array of weapon geometries and to maneuver these weapons within the space constraints imposed by a variety of airframes. The ARML is predicated upon an innovative robotic manipulator uniquely well suited to these ordinance handling tasks. This “Tri-Sphereâ€Â Robot possesses six degrees-of-freedom and has exceptional resolution, a generous work envelope and a payload capacity in excess of 18,000 lb. A Phase I feasibility study will conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of adapting the Tri-Sphere technology for munitions loading tasks and will develop a roadmap for introduction of the ARML into Air Wing Operations.