Vetronics technology testbed: experience report

The Vetronics (vehicle electronics) Technology Testbed (VTT) is a research project being developed by the U.S Army Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). The main objective of the VTT is to demonstrate the capability of one crewmember to perform the functions of both the vehicle Commander and Driver. The demonstration was required to take place while operating over military-significant terrain and while performing a military-significant mission. In order to accomplish this objective, TARDEC adapted and integrated crew station designs (Figure 1) developed under the Crewman's Associate Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD).In addition, hardware and software developed under the INter-Vehicle Embedded Simulation Technology (INVEST) Science and Technology Objective (STO) was used to create realistic simulated operating and training scenarios for the crewmembers. Another goal of the project was to demonstrate the technology in a platform comparable (mobility, size, weight, etc.) to the currently envisioned Future Combat Vehicle (FCV).Several key technologies and capabilities were incorporated into the VTT and include the following:• Drive-by-wire capability• Day and night operation• Indirect vision as the primary vision• Three-dimensional (3D) audio system• Speech Recognition and Generation• Multi-function displays with touch screens• Embedded simulation as an enabling technology for embedded training, mission rehearsal, battlefield visualization and after action review• WSTAWG Operating Environment (OE) [1]• Joint Variable Message Format (JVMF) [2]• Communication via voice intercom and SINCGARS radios