Vehicle concept for a robotic missile launcher

This report presents preliminary work on the vehicle concept for a robotic missile launcher. A computerized literature search is documented, and important mobility and control concepts from the search are discussed. A survey of commercially available roving vehicles, both remotely and manually controlled, is also presented. Design concepts are evaluated for application to a robotic missile launcher vehicle based on constraining design criteria. Conceptual designs are based on a commercially available vehicle (the Emerson Electric Fast Attack Vehicle), and a proposed special purpose vehicle are presented. Recommendations are made for further research and/or testing in the areas of feasibility of candidate control links and payloads, maneuverability versus armor, cost versus survivability, and applications in reconnaissance.