Thanks to a conversation with GDLS’ product specialists Ray Moldovan and Stephen Rash, Business Development Managers, FW MAG offers a deep insight into the MCOTM concept recently showcased at AUSA 2024. In addition to their point of view as product specialists, Ray and Stephen have sound knowledge of the operational environment, as they served in the Marine Corps and in the Army, respectively. (1)

The Mission Command On The Move (MCOTM) is intended to demonstrate an approach to mobile command and control (C2) by turning a vehicle into a node that is based on a Stryker chassis. The MCOTM is designed to function as a battlefield management node, facilitating quick decision-making and coordination on the move.

It supports manned-unmanned teaming by controlling an array of uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), which can provide direct fire, reconnaissance, air defence, and transport capabilities.

The MCOTM concept emphasizes modularity and mobility, allowing it to adapt to different battlefield environments and maintain connectivity with UGVs through line-of-sight communication. This approach aligns with the US Army's strategy to enhance command post survivability by transitioning from large, stationary setups to more agile and dispersed configurations. 

Additionally, the system features advanced protection measures, such as the Elbit Systems IRON FIST LIGHT active protection system, to defend against threats like anti-tank missiles and drones.

The core of this formation is an 8x8 armoured vehicle, which serves as a mobile command post. This vehicle features hybrid-electric propulsion, increased interior space for 7 soldiers. It also boasts enhanced signature reduction capabilities, including electromagnetic, thermal, and acoustic measures, along with the active protection system to defend against various threats. Complementing the MCOTM vehicle are several unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that can be controlled from within. Among these is GDLS’ Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT) XM - an 8x8 robotic vehicle designed to carry Ghost Robotics VISION 60 robot dogs - and GDLS’ TRX DEFENDER, a modular tracked robotic vehicle capable of carrying up to five tons and configured for both ground and air defence fire support. These UGVs enhance the formation's capabilities by providing direct fire support, reconnaissance, air defence, and additional transport capacity.

The entire formation leverages advanced technologies to ensure effectiveness in contested environments. GDLS is carefully observing current operations around the globe and believes that a static C2 is and will be under constant threat. Only mobility and enhanced protection can ensure survivability. To do this, the MCOTM emphasizes manned-unmanned teaming capabilities with line-of-sight connectivity between the command vehicle and UGVs. Each UGV has a different electronic footprint and loiters around the STRYKER MCOTM. As the whole formation is on the move, UGVs take different positions and are assigned different tasks. Large UGVs like the TRX DEFENDER are assigned active roles, such as area defence against land and aerial threats, also including UAS. Medium sized UGVs can contribute or serve as decoys or relay. Small UGVs can perform recognition by stealth and can serve as deceptive measures. The diverse array of electronic signatures screens the main vehicles from enemy detection. Lastly, there is also potential for future integration with UAS, further enhancing the operational scope of this innovative C2 formation.

According to Ray Moldovan, the Mission Command On The Move (MCOTM) concept is intended to  reduce the logistic footprint of a traditional command post and offer Commanders a real mobile command capability without an abundance of support  vehicles: “it may look like there are a lot of assets, but in reality, we are reducing the size and weight of the whole C2 function. First, the core of the system is based on a single 8x8 STRYKER MCOTM. This design replaces larger, stationary command posts that typically require multiple vehicles, extensive setup time, larger crews, and more equipment.”

Additionally, the MCOTM features hybrid-electric propulsion, which is expected to offer improved fuel efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. With greater than 50kW power output, there is no need to bring external generators and follow-up vehicles. This not only lowers maintenance requirements but also results in quieter operation, reducing the acoustic signature.

Ray Moldovan added: “In my experience, command posts were always surrounded by HUMVEEs bringing different towed equipment. With this concept, STRYKER MCOTM contributes to a smaller logistic tail for fuel and maintenance support. While the MCOTM includes UGVs like the MUTT XM and TRX DEFENDER, these actually help reduce the overall logistic footprint by replacing larger manned vehicles with smaller, more efficient assets. This transition reduces the number of personnel required in the command post formation while still providing capabilities such as reconnaissance and fire support without additional manned platforms.”

Stephen Rash added that “the predictive maintenance tool, VITALS (Vehicle Intelligence Tools & Analytics for Logistics & Sustainment),is intended to inform commanders and staff, in real time, what vehicles require maintenance or repair, thus reducing logistic burden. Moreover, the adaptability and scalability of STRYKER MCOTM allow commanders to adjust their command post configuration based on mission requirements. This flexibility means that only necessary equipment and personnel are deployed, optimizing resources for each specific mission and enabling dynamic adjustments to the logistic footprint.”

As far as UGVs are concerned, the system is equipped to perform complex tasks such as coordinating UGVs for reconnaissance, fire support, and air defence, with advanced decision-making capabilities. However, human operators remain present in the loop to supervise operations and take control, when necessary.

Stephen Rash specifies that “the autonomous vehicle technology leverages a combination of AI-powered algorithms, specialized cameras, and sensors to navigate and drive. These include lidar, radar, GPS, and inertial navigation systems. Self-driving UGVs analyse the data generated by these sensors to plot navigational paths and react in real-time by stopping, speeding up, slowing down, and avoiding objects. As military hardware, functions related to the detection, identification, and engagement of targets are also present and greatly assists the decision-making cycle when it comes to fighting.”

In brief, autonomy is the future, but GDLS is considering the US Army’s doctrine and constraints, so that the system can provide a level of autonomy that is consistent with their operational feedback and requirements. Open architecture will allow to expand autonomous functions when the US Army decides that time has come.

According to the specialists, the most important thing from an industry perspective is that GDLS maintains its capability to anticipating future requirements and leave an open architecture that allows for improvements over time. Indeed, the US Army (and the US military in general) is known to want these technologies to be mature and reliable before sending them to the battlefield.

Follow us on Telegram and Facebook.

(1)  The information presented herein is the most accurate and up-to-date version. Please disregard any previous versions or statements that may contain outdated or inaccurate information.