Use of Fiber Optic Data Links in Marine Corps Unmanned Vehicles

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Use of Fiber Optic Data Links in Marine Corps Unmanned Vehicles

C. D. Metz

Remotely operated systems provide the military with a potential alternative to the use of troops in high-risk situations. Unmanned vehicles enable a battlefield commander to 'look over the hill' or 'around the next corner' without endangering the lives of his men. In addition to surveillance, remotely controlled vehicle systems may be useful in a variety of tactical missions such as target designation, anti-armor defense, explosive ordnance disposal and radiation and chemical detection. In 1986 the United States Marine Corps (USMC) established the Ground Air Telerobotics Systems (GATERS) program to develop and test both land-based and airborne remotely operated, unmanned vehicle systems. The overall program objectives were to (1) determine the military worth of teleoperators systems, and (2) allow Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) to acquire 'hands-on' experience with such systems to support generation of realistic concepts of employment and a statement of Required Operating Capabilities (ROC). The Naval Ocean Systems Center, Hawaii Laboratory (NOSC-HI), was designated the Principal Development Agent (PDA), responsible for the development of the GATERS systems. At the highest level these systems consist of the vehicle, a control station and a data link between the two. The main emphasis in this article is on fiber optic data links and their development during the GATERS program; however, vehicles and control stations are also described. Reprints. (RH)