LS3 stretches its legs in latest trial

The US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's (DARPA's) Legged Squad Support System (LS3) has demonstrated a number of new capabilities during a two-week trial held in conjunction with the US Marine Corps' Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

DARPA is developing the LS3 to solve what programme manager Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Hitt said was a big military problem - lightening the load of soldiers and marines. With personnel regularly carrying in excess of 100 lb (45 kg), Lt Col Hitt said that the aim is to develop a system that can carry 400 lb of equipment over 32 km with no need for intervention during a 24-hour period. It must also be able to keep pace with the forces it is supporting, accompanying them wherever they go.

Lt Col Hitt said that the control and monitoring of the platform must also not increase the cognitive burden, and, therefore, a high level of automation is required in place of hands-on control. The LS3 utilises the Tactical Robotic Controller.

The three areas of focus for the programme are mobility, perception, and human/robot interaction.