The Gladiator TUGV is planned as a robust, compact, unmanned, tele-operated/semi-autonomous, multi-purpose ground RSTA vehicle system possessing a scouting and direct engagement capability. It will provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Ground Combat Element (GCE) with remote reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) reconnaissance, obstacle breaching, and direct fire capability to neutralize threats and reduce risk to the warfighter. The TUGV system will be fielded to infantry battalions and combat engineer companies and must be strategically, operationally, and tactically deployable worldwide in ground, aircraft and sea transport conveyances available to the MAGTF.
The configuration of the Gladiator system will consist of a highly mobile and survivable ground-based Mobile Base Unit (MBU), interchangeable Mission Payload Module (MPM) packages capable of supporting different mission requirements, and a man portable, hand held Operator Control Unit (OCU). The OCU will provide the Gladiator and its MPM's with tele-operational capability as well as data display, storage and dissemination. It is expected that the OCU will exchange video and data signals with the Gladiator via a non-tethered military link.
The Gladiator must be supportable within the existing Department of the Navy three-level maintenance concept (organizational, intermediate, and depot) using common tools and general-purpose test equipment to the maximum extent possible. The system cannot increase the expeditionary embarkation footprint or manpower requirements of the MAGTF and will be operated by designated, vice dedicated, personnel. The systems must be expeditionary in nature, inherently simple, durable, multi-functional, and easily transported and operated in littoral battlespace.
TUGV Operations Concept
The primary function of the Gladiator system is to provide Marine Corps forces with an unmanned tele-operated/semi-autonomous ground vehicle for RSTA, NBC reconnaissance, obstacle breaching and direct fire capabilities. Operating forward of the GCE units, the TUGV will perform situational awareness and enemy neutralization tasks while permitting the operator to remain covered and concealed. The MBU will accommodate plug-and-play modular payloads, an operating day/night video camera, currently fielded thermal imaging equipment, GPS, laser rangefinder, and acoustic and chemical point detection systems. The TUGV will be operational and maintainable in all types of climates, weather conditions, and terrain where Marines deploy. The Gladiator will significantly enhance the ability of tactical units to rapidly detect, locate, track, and neutralize close-in threats (i.e., natural, man-made, or enemy forces). As a reference, please view the Concept of Employment for the Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle document in which a mission profile has been developed and a notional role for the TUGV has been defined. As a result, critical system requirements can be derived, such as: power requirements, refueling frequency, etc. to assist the developers in designing the system and incorporating required hardware, software, and technologies.
