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  • FCS MULE

    It will climb at least a 1.5-meter step, far exceeding requirements, and provides the vehicle with the mobility performance and surefootedness required to safely follow dismounted troops over rough terrain, through rock and debris fields, and over urban rubble. This technology also allows the MULE to cross 1.5-meter gaps, traverse side slopes greater than 40 percent, ford water to depths over 1.25 meters, and overpass obstacles as high as 0.5 meter while compensating for varying payload weights and center of gravity locations.

    The MULE, a 2.5-ton class vehicle for the Future Combat System, includes three variants: Transport, Air Assault and Countermine.

    The Transport MULE configuration is designed to support the Objective Force soldier by providing the volume and payload capacity to carry the equipment and supplies to support two dismounted Infantry Squads. Multiple tie-down points and removable/foldable side railings will support virtually any payload variation. It is suited to support casualty evacuation needs as well.

    The Air Assault version will be armed with a rapid-fire suppressive weapon and an anti-tank capability. It is designed to provide immediate, heavy firepower to the dismounted soldier.

    The Countermine variant is designed to provide detection and marking of mines and minefields, greatly increasing the safety and mobility of the infantryman.
    Sweet, I am looking foward to the Air Assault Version.

  • #2
    Got any pix?

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    • #3
      Does MULE stand for anything?
      Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

      Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.

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      • #4
        probly something like M(obile) U(tility) L(oadcarrying) E(quipement) BR
        Your look more lost than a bastard child on fathers day.

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        • #5
          There are no pictures but it stands for Multifunction Utility Logistics and Equipment

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          • #6
            interesting

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            • #7
              anyone still on this subject

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              • #8
                ?

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Commando
                  ?
                  this should Be it although i think this is an (projected) armed version I got it from this site
                  US Army FCS website link
                  Attached Files

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                  • #10
                    Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicle (MULE) UGV (1 Ton)
                    Robotic Infantry Support System (RISS)


                    The Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicle (MULE) is an unmanned platform that provides transport of equipment and/or supplies in support of dismounted maneuver. There are three variants of the MULE. These are MULES designed for 1) transport, 2) Air assault, and 3) Countermine use.

                    The Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment Vehicle (MULE) is an unmanned platform that provides transport of equipment and/or supplies in support of dismounted maneuver forces. It will also be capable of being armed in the role of support to dismounted infantry in the close assault.

                    The General Dynamics Eagle Enterprise concept for the Objective Force Warrior [OFW] system of systems includes a Robotic Infantry Support System (RISS, aka robotic mule or mule). The RISS will reduce the soldier's load and could carry supplementary supplies such as water and ammunition. General Dynamics envisions additional uses for the RISS that may include reconnaissance and surveillance or medical and personnel transport. The 15-foot long, six-foot wide vehicle will be capable of carrying a payload of up to 2000 pounds of weapons, supplies or personnel.

                    Anything else that's mission-essential but not built in to the individual soldier system will be carried on a "robotic mule." The mule will assist with not only taking some of the load carriage off the individual soldier, but he also provides a host of other functions. Primarily water generation (and) water purification. It's a recharging battery station for all the individual Objective Force Warriors in the squad. It acts as a weapons platform. It has day and night thermal, infrared and forward-looking imaging systems inside the nose of the mule, as well as chemical-biological sensors. The mule can also communicate with unmanned aerial vehicles to give the squad members a true 360-degree image of the battlefield. Currently this capability isn't available below the battalion level. It's a follower, and it can be manipulated and brought forth by any member of the squad. It's essentially a mini load-carriage system that's there for them all the time, which allows lightening the load for the individual soldier, but he has resupply available at a moment's notice.

                    The MULE is a UGV weighing up to 1 ton that performs a transportation mission (either dismount troop material services or supplies movement). The MULE will be part of an organization of vehicles, sensors, C2 hardware and software systems, and communications systems. The MULE may incorporate mechanisms (such as a robot arm/hand) to facilitate transloading equipment or supplies on and off the vehicle. The MULE provides mobility sufficient to maneuver with the dismounted FCS force within an operational area, and is towed to the operational area by a larger vehicle. The MULE provides semi-autonomous navigation, possibly including automated transloading of selected supplies. About 30% to 40% of the MULE weight will be available for transported loads.

                    In early 2003 the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Army and their contractor teams unveiled Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle (UGCV) technology demonstration platform to the public. The prototype now enters a period of extensive testing and refinement to validate the design performance characteristics and highlight capabilities enabled by unique design approaches. The rollout is an important achievement moving from design and simulation to the full-scale hardware testing needed to provide information to the Army for their FCS decision milestones. The UGCV prototype represents significant advances in vehicle design, and embodies a strategy for the kind of high mobility, efficiency, deployability, and resilience that will be needed to generate significant mission value to future forces.

                    The 1,500 pound Team Retarius platform rolled out during a ceremony at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M., on 22 January 2003. The Team Retarius UGCV will carry a variety of payloads weighing approximately 350 pounds and is close to the size the Future Combat Systems is considering for its “mule” type vehicle. FCS envisions the “mule” vehicle in a variety of roles from direct support to dismounted troops to light reconnaissance as part of a network of combat entities. Team Retarius was established by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and includes team members Sandia National Laboratories, Rod Millen Special Vehicles, BAE Systems, MSE High Performance Materials Group and Atkinson Associates.

                    DARPA and the Army sponsored the development of the prototype UGCV technology demonstration platforms as a part of the jointly funded Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. The design can accommodate severe events such as rollovers and continue operation upside down. It is configured for air drop and long-range operations to simplify early entry, and reduce their logistics burden. The vehicle is also highly mobile and can obtain very low profile configurations to reduce detectability. Power systems aboard the vehicle are advanced hybrid electric to provide long silent watch and movement as well as enable unique payload packaging strategies.

                    http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...d/fcs-mule.htm


                    "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

                    I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

                    HAKUNA MATATA

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                    • #11
                      Ain't ready and a money pit.

                      You know, just by the number of failed projects alone, the US dwarfs every other country in military R&D.

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                      • #12
                        For a moment I thought that FCS MULE was some new hybrid to replace the Mule (GS) and Mule (Arty). :) Silly of me.
                        Mule(GS) - http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwi...rline/p089.jpg (pic circa ww2)
                        Mule(arty) - http://freespace.virgin.net/gwyneth.wright/army/2.jpg (pic circa after ww2)

                        Cheers!...on the rocks!!

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                        • #13
                          The intro sounded like the animal mule.

                          Mules are used in high altitude fighting by Indian troops, correct?

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                          • #14
                            Yes, mules are used in the mountains including High Altitude to ferry ratiuons and equipment.

                            120mm Mortars are also carried by mules. The units are designated as 'X' Regiment (Pack).

                            Also local burro are used. They are known as SD (Small Donkeys). Theya re more versatile, though they carry less load.

                            Lemontree has given the photo of a Mountain gun being carried by Mule (Arty).

                            Mule GS carries stores.
                            Last edited by Ray; 05 Jan 05,, 05:01.


                            "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

                            I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

                            HAKUNA MATATA

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Franco Lolan
                              Mules are used in high altitude fighting by Indian troops, correct?
                              Not only high altitide, but any mountinous region that does not have roads.
                              Very reliable animals, and they never miss a step will walking in the dark. They are trained to remain quite when close to enemy positions.

                              Cheers!...on the rocks!!

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