Category: Projects and Programs

The 2022 live fire experiment was conducted as the Project ORIGIN platform was put to the test in various day and night live-fire mission-oriented exercises. These tasks were carried out by the Army Green Berets from the 1st Special Forces Group.

Alongside soldiers and the Project ORIGIN team, the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center team was on site to collect data. It takes multiple teams to come together to make sure the feedback given is interpreted correctly and the unmanned systems are functioning properly. When the main focus of the live fire exercise involved putting SOPs in place, these exercises would be impactful for future exercises!

In addition, this experiment supported the continued development of the Army’s Robotic Technology Kernel – a Modular Open System Architecture-based library software that can be used for ground autonomy. The Green Berets incorporated numerous Origin modular mission payloads to assist with long-range reconnaissance, concealment, electronic warfare and autonomous resupply operations.

Maj. Cory Wallace, the RCV Requirements Lead with the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team, stated:

“Working with an Operational Detachment Alpha enabled us to understand new use cases and consider new approaches to integrating robotic and autonomous systems into future experiments. The feedback from the operators gave us a completely new perspective as to how we need to shape our future development efforts in order to provide the most effective unmanned systems possible to Army formations.”

Todd Willert, GVSC’s project manager for Project Origin, looks ahead into the future for the software capabilities:

“We are in the process of tailoring software packages to meet the needs of end users,” Willert said. “Autonomy — at various levels — offers great opportunities for different mission sets that improve Soldier safety and reduce cognitive burden.”

Each of these attributes were examined during the live fire:

• Operational Detachment Alpha
• Commonly Remote Operated Weapon System (CROWs)
  • Equipped with M240 and M2 Machine Guns and MK19 automatic grenade launcher

VIDS Corp Involvement:

VIDS Corp’s process for this event began as we begin all of our events – by asking questions. consulting with project managers, engineers, support staff, etc. takes first priority for VIDS Corp when arriving to a new event site. Understanding where can and cannot be occupied by personnel, what can and cannot be filmed, and what the focus of the event is are all taken into consideration during this process.

In the instance of this event, VIDS Corp access was unusually restricted due to enhanced safety protocols and requirements by Dugway Proving Ground. Even with these restrictions, VIDS Corp was able to provide best in class coverage for all aspect of the mission set.

VIDS Corp utilized a series of industry leading equipment during the DPG Live Fire event. BlackMagic Pocket Cinema 6k, BlackMagic URSA Mini, Deity Wireless Microphone, multi-axis gimbals, and other equipment to seamlessly pass between in-field activities and stationary interview settings. This led to a wide variety of camera angles and unique approaches to content coverage for the Project ORIGIN program.

Event Conclusion:

The Dugway Proving Ground Live Fire was unique in that special operations units accompanied the Project ORIGIN platforms and conducted various mission sets in dry, dusty and barren environments.

VIDS Corp offers a perspective to coverage that is only amplified by unique capture opportunities. Thinking back to previous exercises and how footage was captured in the past makes it easier to look forward to new angles or visions VIDS Corp can achieve.

VIDS Corp completed three different video content deliverables: a long form, explanatory video focused around soldier involvement and their feedback; mid form, multipurpose video focused on certain feedback from higher ups; and a short form, promotional video focused around the Project ORIGIN platform and its capabilities that were highlighted at the event.

The Ft. Polk Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) located in Fort Polk, Louisiana became the testing site of two Project ORIGIN Vehicles (RCV Surrogates) engaging in a simulated battle with the 3/101st (Air Assault). Soldiers from the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry helped provide feedback and further explore the ability of the Army to conduct rapid technology and autonomous behavior integration. This event enabled the Army to gain valuable insight in how to best utilize robotic vehicles in combat and furthered its ongoing Campaign of Learning around RCV development.

Key teams in this event were groups such as the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), the Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional (NGCV CFT), and the Army Capability Manager-Infantry Brigade Combat teams (ACM-I).These groups came together to integrate the Project ORIGIN platforms into the JRTC rotation.

Todd Willert, Project Origin project manager at GVSC, shares the importance of these groups collaborating on this exercise. Willert states the team

“…use(s) this information to rapidly iterate both its software and physical payloads, and evaluate the changes in relevant tactical environments…”

The new system ultimately allows soldiers to close in on and eliminate enemies safely from a distance. Some of the incorporated testing methods, maneuvers, and personal included:

• Blocking a key intersection for 36 hours
  • Benefitting from Origin’s low heat signature while conducting long hours of battery-powered “silent watch”
• Denied helicopter landing zones and conducted route reconnaissance
  • Utilizing low personal needs to complete missions with robotics in order to maximize efficiency and improve safety of the soldiers
• Tropical storm like conditions

VIDS Corp Involvement:

VIDS Corp’s process for this event began as we begin all of our events – by asking questions. consulting with project managers, engineers, support staff, etc. takes first priority for VIDS Corp when arriving to a new event site. Understanding where can and cannot be occupied by personnel, what can and cannot be filmed, and what the focus of the event is are all taken into consideration during this process.

In the instance of this event, VIDS Corp access was again, minimally restricted. VIDS Corp was able to fully submerge themselves with both the operations teams and military units to ensure best in class content capturing. Weather constraints did present some issues for the VIDS Corp team, but thanks to years of industry knowledge (and some MacGyver style camera tricks), they were able to continue capturing content in even the most severe parts of the storm.

VIDS Corp utilized a series of industry leading equipment during the Ft. Polk SOE. BlackMagic Pocket Cinema 6k, BlackMagic URSA Mini, Deity Wireless Microphone, Thermal and night vision cameras, multi-axis gimbals, and other equipment was utilized in order to seamlessly pass between in-field activities and stationary interview settings. This led to a wide variety of camera angles and unique approaches to content coverage for the Project ORIGIN program.

Event Conclusion:

The Ft. Polk SOE is unique from previous Project ORIGIN events as soldiers were given the opportunity to accompany platforms for longer periods of time in various environmental situations. Prolonged rain, terrain changes, and radio frequency detection from the 3/101st Group opposition force really put these RCV platforms and soldiers to the test.

VIDS Corp offers a perspective to coverage that is only amplified by unique capture opportunities. Given that VIDS Corp has had access to the entire lifecycle of the Project ORIGIN platform, finally seeing force-on-force action allows the content to be captured with long term vision in mind. Thinking back to previous exercises and how footage was captured in the past makes it easier to look forward to new angles or visions VIDS Corp can achieve.

VIDS Corp completed two different video content deliverables: a long form, explanatory video focused around soldier involvement and their feedback, and a short form, promotional video focused around the Project ORIGIN platform and its capabilities that were highlighted at the event.

Situated a little under 2 hours from the Mackinaw Bridge, The Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center sits in the quiet town of Grayling, Michigan. This site is an integral part of the National All Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC). It primarily supports the Summer and Winter Northern Strike joint exercises, the National Guard Exportable Combat Training Center Exercises, and a variety of cyber security / next generation technology events. The 2021 live fire experiment was conducted as the Project ORIGIN platform was put to the test in various combat scenarios joined by soldiers from A Company, 1-28th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.

Alongside soldiers and the Project ORIGIN team, the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Function Team (NGCV CFT) and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC) teams assisted on Camp Grayling grounds with a two week long live fire experiment to test out remote controlling of the weapon systems on the Project Origin platform to fire on both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight targets.

Soldiers from the previous Project Origin experiment in Fort Benning, GA. were present to test out the platform again. Maj. Cory Wallace, RCV team lead for the NGCV CFT, stated:

“Having the same Soldiers engage with the Origin over multiple iterations reduces the learning curve, and it also provides a constant level of feedback as the Soldiers become familiar with these systems and how they interact…”

So, what is it the Soldiers exactly put to the test? Each of these attributes were examined during the live fire:

• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
• Modular Smoke Obscuration Module (SOM)
• Commonly Remote Operated Weapon System (CROWs)
  • Equipped with M249 and M2 Machine Guns and MK19 Grenade

Fun fact, the M2 and MK19 had never been fired off of a Remote Combat Vehicle (RCV) before at this point! Testing these attributes helps increase survivability and communication between teams during real-life battleground scenarios.

VIDS Corp Involvement:

First things first, VIDS Corp consulted with project managers, engineers, support staff, etc. to really understand the team and applicable mission sets that may be encountered during the event. Because of the long standing relationship that VIDS Corp has with Camp Grayling, we are able to provide unprecedented coverage of events and have access to areas, tools, and locations that typically are not available to others on a regular basis.

Maintaining a low level presence during day-to-day operations to best capture the assigned mission sets is also important as to not get in the way of the live fire experiment. As an integrated part of the mission, VIDS Corp was given minimally restricted access to all aspects of the operation including in field operations, after action reports, and briefs on an as needed basis. Strict live-fire policies were followed to protect not only themselves, but others involved with the event as well.

VIDS Corp utilized BlackMagic Pocket Cinema 4k, Deity Wireless Microphone, multi-axis gimbals, and other industry leading setups in order to seamlessly pass between in-field activities and stationary interview settings. Due to the nature of the live fire experiment and strict policies put in place surrounding the event, VIDS Corp needed to get creative when it came time to properly showcase the usage of live fire rounds. VIDS Corp chose to utilize next generation FPV drone technology in order to get the best possible angles of the live fire experiment. Utilizing this technology meant VIDS Corp personnel were safely out of harm’s way while offering high speed, up close footage of rounds hitting their targets. All of this combined led to a wide variety of camera angles and unique approaches to coverage that hadn’t been seen before from a GVSC program event.

Event Conclusion:

Continuing VIDS Corp’s partnership with Project ORIGIN and the soldier teams allowed us to enhance our perspective from the previous Fort Benning, GA. SOE as we were able to witness the improvements and evolution of the program from one event to another. Being fully immersed with the on-site teams throughout the two week event helped us capture all mission sets, scenarios, and situational environments through photo and video highlights to show the possibility of remote control usage of the Project ORIGIN MUTT (Multi-Utility Tactical Transport) robotic platform.

VIDS Corp completed two different video deliverables, as well as multiple photos to emphasize how successful and necessary this event is for the future of the RCV program and the way soldiers make contact on the battlefield moving forward. Being able to shine a light on Project ORIGIN’s progress throughout each event over the course of a year is crucial to the future of not only the program, but of our warfighters on the ground.

Ft. Benning, one of the U.S. Army’s premier training centers, supported both the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and Small Mission Equipment Transport (SMET) programs from Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC) in the Fall of 2020. During the Fort Benning Soldier Operational Experiment (SOE), Project ORIGIN was tested in various combat scenarios alongside soldiers from A Company, 1-28th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. These soldiers were tasked with providing feedback to US Army engineers and technicians who utilized the information to develop further mission-set capabilities.

Alongside soldiers and the Project ORIGIN team, the Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC) and Army Capabilities Manager-Infantry (ACM-I) teams assisted with the multi-week experiment to determine the potential value an RCV platform can provide to soldiers in combat scenarios. Todd Willert, Program Manager of Project ORIGIN, was a key point of contact throughout the entire event. Willert shared his perspective with VIDS Corp in an interview, stating:

“Origin is a sensor platform. It’s a telepresence. It’s not a soldier, it’s not as good as a soldier, never will be as good as a soldier, but it gives the soldier the added ability to read the train and detect threats…”

Playing into the theme of threat detection, soldiers tested each of these ORIGIN subsystems during the Ft. Benning SOE:

Hardware:

• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
• Modular Smoke Obscuration Module (SOM)
• Commonly Remote Operated Weapon Systems (CROWs)
  • Equipped with M240 Machine Gun and FGM-148 Javelin
• Counter-UAS Jammer

Software:

• Autonomous drive functions integrated with the Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI)
• Robotic Technology Kernel (RTK)

Alongside testing subsystems and various different environmental testing conditions, the Project ORIGIN platform was being put in the hands of the individuals whom the US Army needs feedback from the most – our warfighters.

VIDS Corp Involvement:

VIDS Corp’s process for this event began as we began all of our events – by asking questions. consulting with project managers, engineers, support staff, etc., takes first priority for VIDS Corp when arriving at a new event site. Understanding where we can and cannot be occupied by personnel, what can and cannot be filmed, and what the event’s focus is are all taken into consideration during this process.

Once all of the established parameters have been met, VIDS Corp focused on maintaining a low-level presence during day-to-day operations to best capture the assigned mission sets. As an integrated part of the mission, VIDS Corp was given minimally restricted access to all aspects of the operation, including in-field operations, after-action reports, and briefs on an as-needed basis.

VIDS Corp utilized Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4k, Diety Wireless Microphone, Thermal and night vision cameras, multi-axis gimbals, and other industry-leading setups in order to pass between in-field activities and stationary interview settings seamlessly. This led to various camera angles and unique approaches to coverage that hadn’t been seen before from a GVSC program event.

Event Conclusion:

Being fully immersed within the unit allowed VIDS Corp to successfully capture all mission sets, scenarios, and situational environments through photo and video highlights to show the real-world utilization of the Project ORIGIN MUTT (Multi-Utility Tactical Transport) robotic platform. VIDS Corp embedded itself throughout the course of the SOE with BlueFor and OpFor soldiers for several missions, giving wildly unique perspectives that had not been captured before VIDS Corp’s involvement.

VIDS Corp completed a  video deliverable, as well as multiple photos, to emphasize how successful and necessary this program is for the future of the RCV program and the way soldiers make contact on the battlefield moving forward. Being able to shine a light on Project ORIGIN being a continuously low-cost, high-reward program is crucial to the future of not only the program but of our warfighters and their fielded equipment.

Hosted at The Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Grayling, Michigan, in 2017, the Project ORIGIN Increment One event consisted of a multifaceted approach to covering drive functions, attachments, and mission capabilities of the platform. As part of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) enterprise, the Project ORIGIN MUTT platform is a technology demonstrator for upcoming advancements in autonomy, robotics, and mission readiness functions. The Increment One Event was designed to showcase all that Project ORIGIN could offer – particularly in the areas of off-road capability, implementation of tactical attachments, and increased distance operations.

Some of the attachments and technology highlighted in this event were:

Hardware:

• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
• Modular Smoke Obscuration Module (SOM)
• Commonly Remote Operated Weapon Systems (CROWs)
• Counter-UAS Jammer
• MPU5 Persistent Communication System
• Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD)
• Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN)

Software:

• Autonomous drive functions integrated with the Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI)
• Robotic Technology Kernel (RTK)

Alongside the various hardware and software tests which were highlighted, drive functionality and platform capabilities were also put to the test. The Project ORIGIN Platform utilizes a three-step drive functionality, including:

• Hand Held Remote (Wand): Fitting into the palm of your hand with a singular joystick for operating the platform, the Wand method is lightweight, compact, and ultra-functional.
• Tether: By clipping an ultra-light line to the pack of an individual, the ORIGIN platform can detect walking speeds in real-time and continue to follow the individual without clipping their heels or being any additional resistance.
• TeleOperations: Utilizing a standard handheld tablet system, the ORIGIN platform can be remotely operated from a distance, eliminating the need for individuals or warfighters to be within proximity during potentially dangerous situations.

VIDS Corp Involvement:

VIDS Corp’s process for this event began as we began all of our events – by asking questions. Consulting with project managers, engineers, support staff, etc. takes first priority for VIDS Corp when arriving at a new event site. Understanding where we can and cannot be occupied by personnel, what can and cannot be filmed, and what the event’s focus is are all taken into consideration during this process.

This event, in particular, was unique in that the Project ORIGIN team wanted to be sure and highlight all of the capabilities the MUTT platform had to offer. VIDS Corp was given total control of mission sets and objectives in order to get the best possible coverage of the platform.

VIDS Corp utilized a variety of never-before-seen in defense space technology when it comes to the content collection field. State-of-the-art drone technology allowed VIDS to capture events from various angles and heights, something that had not been utilized in this space before the event. Alongside drone usage, VIDS Corp utilized their extensive Sony camera collection, including the A6000 and A7III, for photos. GoPro cameras, as well as handheld gimbals, also played a large part in the content capture for this event.

Event Conclusion:

Being fully immersed in the event allowed VIDS Corp to successfully capture all capabilities that the Project ORIGIN MUTT platform offers. This was also the first opportunity for VIDS Corp to take on a large-scale government client that allowed unbridled access to their platform, mission sets, and attachments.

VIDS Corp completed two different video deliverables, as well as multiple photos, to emphasize how successful and necessary this program is for the future of the RCV program and the way soldiers make contact on the battlefield moving forward. Being able to shine a light on Project ORIGIN being a continuously low-cost, high-reward program is crucial to the future of not only the program but of our warfighters and their fielded equipment.