Paper presented at ISTVS 2025 | 55th Conference of the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems https://doi.org/10.56884/N1CGA6U2
Authors: Peilin Song, Burhman Gates
Keywords: Modeling and Simulation; Autonomous Drive; terramechanics; Vehicle Dynamics; Software Integration Laboratory
Abstract:
Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are becoming critical assets for the Army, offering enhanced capabilities for mission execution. However, the complexity of autonomous systems presents challenges that traditional analysis tools are ill-equipped to handle. To address this, ERDC has developed a Software Integration Laboratory (SIL) to support the modeling and simulation (M&S) of UGVs in virtual environments. The SIL provides a digital testbed for performance prediction and risk mitigation across both typical and edge-case scenarios. As part of ongoing test and evaluation (T&E) endeavors, ERDC’s SIL supports a wide range of activities that complement physical field trials. This includes the creation of high-fidelity virtual environments that integrate vehicle dynamics, terramechanics, terrain models, and sensor simulations. These environments enable realistic testing of autonomous navigation systems—such as the Robotic Technology Kit (RTK) and its variants—in off-road and contested conditions. This paper highlights the design and capabilities of ERDC’s SIL and its application to autonomous ground vehicle testing and development. It demonstrates how digital experimentation using the SIL supports the integration of autonomous systems into manned-unmanned teams and helps inform future mission planning. The paper also presents the application of the SIL in various projects, including both single autonomous vehicle operations and the coordinated motion of multiple vehicles in team-based scenarios.
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