Operator-aided Autonomous Recovery System (OARS) Navy SBIR FY2007.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2007.3 Topic No.: N07-208 Topic Title: Operator-aided Autonomous Recovery System (OARS) Proposal No.: N073-208-0676 Firm: Robotic Research LLC 814 W. Diamond Ave. Suite 301 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878 Contact: Karl Murphy Phone: (240) 631-0008 Web Site: www.RoboticResearch.com Abstract: The U.S. Navy's plans for addressing asymmetric threats of the twenty-first century relies heavily on Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and manned Organic Offboard Vehicles (OOVs) for reconnaissance, force protection, mine detection, special operations, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence collection mission. Rapid launch and recovery of these vehicles will be critical to mission success. Currently, mechanical recovery techniques are highly dependent upon the unique operator controls resident on each watercraft to guide the vehicle into a final recovery position. In the case of USVs, the operator is hampered by limited sight lines to the incoming vehicle and surrounding seas, and has a challenging "reverse-perspective" for controlling the incoming vehicle. This current process results in operational limitations, increased recovery timelines, and increased risk of damage to the deployed vehicle and the ship. Robotic Research, LLC in partnership with General Dynamics Robotic Systems (GDRS), proposes the development of the Operator-aided Autonomous Recovery System (OARS), a standard control system for recovery of USVs and manned OOVs from a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). OARS will make use of an established Hierarchical Control Architecture and Tactical Control Unit that have been effectively used for the control of several successful Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). Benefits: Independent deployed systems are becoming increasingly important for both naval operations and private industry. A low-cost controlled approach system would be applicable to recovery of systems currently in use for oil rig inspection, underwater construction and exploration, and docking or transfer at sea between manned ships. Return