📋 Tender Overview
The movement of information and data between platforms and operators doesnt just enable RAS capability it is RAS capability.The power of Land RAS comes from leveraging information shared between multiple systems. Without connectivity and the ability to share and process data RAS cannot operate. Thus a secure high-capacity resilient network is vital.Building the architecture to facilitate connectivity is the essential first step in deploying RAS in a land environment. But what is that architecture composed ofThe digital backboneA robotic autonomous system is a collection of hardware and software elements that both consume and supply information.At the front end of the system is the user interface the door through which the human accesses the capability. At the far end are the multiple RAS carrying out tasks. Linking the two ends is the scheduling and tasking engine which is critical to the operation of the system as a whole. Without this vital intermediary the operator would quickly suffer cognitive burnout trying to simultaneously monitor and act upon incoming information.The role of the scheduling and tasking engine is therefore twofold. For the human it distributes the outbound commands to the systems fusing the inbound data into a comprehendible and actionable tactical picture. For the machine it translates the operators instructions into packets of data that the on-board software can understand. Incremental stepsTaken as a whole the task of implementing brand new system of systems architecture can seem daunting but it does not have to be completed in full at the outset.The initial system must contain all of the fundamental elements outlined above but not to the highest possible degree. RAS architecture is eminently scalable so it is entirely feasible to begin at a modest scale and gradually grow operations to become more complex over time.The smaller-scale systems at the more accessible end of this spectrum are implementable today. Weve already seen single-user multi-platform control exercised in live demonstrations with a lone operator commanding three to four light UxVs. This is enough to provide a solid foundation on which to build a more effective capability.Taking the first stepsTodays information systems dialogue must focus on the data. Who owns it hows it assured whats the optimum format and is it secure These considerations should also form part of the parallel conversation around safety and interoperability.From a practical standpoint the most important activity is experimentation but where information flows are prioritised rather than just focusing on physical platforms. Step one is to take existing data platforms and user interfaces proven in live demonstrations plug in new platforms develop new use cases and continually push the boundaries in pursuit of longer-term aspirations. This is already happening but the technology cant remain on the testing range forever.The next step is therefore to begin deploying the systems into active service taking incremental steps forward in terms of complexity and risk. If the right information can be delivered to the right places at the right times in the right formats the effectiveness of RAS will grow exponentially.
