- Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment vehicle
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Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment vehicle 
From top to bottom:XM1218, XM1217, XM1219Type Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle Place of origin 
United StatesSpecifications Weight 2.5 tons The Multi-Mission Unmanned Ground Vehicle, previously known as the Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment vehicle (MULE), was an autonomous unmanned ground combat vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control for the United States Army's Future Combat Systems and BCT Modernization programs. The last component of the program was canceled in July 2011.[1]
Contents
Description
The Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment Vehicle was a 2.5-ton Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) that was developed to support dismounted and air assault operations. The MULE was sling-loadable under military rotorcraft and featured a common chassis. As the program's centerpiece, the Common Mobility Platform (CMP) chassis provided mobility built around an advanced propulsion and articulated suspension system. This system gave the MULE the ability to negotiate complex terrain, obstacles, and gaps that a dismounted squad would encounter.
The MULE's unique, highly advanced 6x6 independent articulated suspension, coupled with in-hub motors powering each wheel, provided extreme mobility in complex terrain, far exceeding that of vehicles utilizing more conventional suspension systems. It could climb at least a 1-meter step traverse side slopes greater than 40 percent, ford water to depths over 0.5 meters and overpass obstacles as high as 0.5 meters, while compensating for varying payload weights and center of gravity locations.
Variants
XM1217 Transport
The XM1217 was canceled in December 2009 along with the XM1218. It would have been able to haul 1,900 to 2,400 pounds of equipment.
XM1218 Countermine
The Countermine MULE Vehicle (MULE-CM) (XM1218) would provide the capability to detect, mark, and neutralize anti-tank mines. The vehicle would be equipped with an integrated mine detection mission equipment package from the Ground Standoff Mine Detection System (GSTAMIDS). The XM1218 was canceled in December 2009.
XM1219 ARV-Assault-Light
Main article: XM1219 Armed Robotic VehicleThe ARV-A-L MULE Vehicle (ARV-A-L) (XM1219) would have featured an integrated weapons and reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) package to support the dismounted infantry’s efforts to locate and destroy enemy platforms and positions. The ARV-A-L would have supported both anti-tank and anti-personnel weapons platforms that will be remotely operated by network linked Soldiers. This variant was cancelled in July 2011.[2]
See also
- Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle
- ACER
- Black Knight
- BigDog
- M-numbers
References
- ^ Brannen, Kate, "Army kills off MULE unmanned vehicle", Military Times, 15 August 2011.
- ^ Army cancels MULE unmanned ground vehicle, Gannett Government Media Corporation, http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/08/army-cancels-MULE-unamanned-ground-vehicle-080111/, retrieved 02 August 2011
External links
- Lockheed Martin MULE website
- XM1217 MULE-T on US Army site
- XM1218 MULE-CM on US Army site
- Wired News: Army Tests Fighting Bot
See also
BCT Modernization capability packagesEarly Infantry Brigade Combat Team Capability Package Future Force Warrior · Network · XM156 Class I UAV · XM501 Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System · Unattended Ground Sensors · XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground VehicleFollow On Incremental Capabilities Common Controller · XM157 Class IV UAV · Ground Combat Vehicle Program:IFV · Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment vehicle: XM1219 ARV · XM1218 Countermine · XM1217 TransportFuture Combat Systems SubsystemsManned Ground Vehicles XM1201 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle · XM1202 Mounted Combat System · XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon · XM1204 Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar · XM1205 Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle · XM1206 Infantry Carrier Vehicle · XM1207 Medical Vehicle-Evacuation · XM1208 Medical Vehicle-Treatment · XM1209 Command and Control VehicleUnmanned Ground Vehicles XM1216 SUGV · MULEUnmanned Aerial Vehicles Devices Categories:- Proposed weapons of the United States
- Unmanned ground combat vehicles
- United States Army equipment
- Military logistics
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