DARPA hopes to use climbing and flying robots to create mesh radio networks for warfighters operating in dense jungles and other difficult environments

Maintaining radio communications in jungles, caves and other dense conditions is a challenge for warfighters. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency hopes to use climbing, flying and other robots to create dynamic radio relays on the fly, the agency announced. 

DARPA is seeking input from industry on the project. Responses are due June 29. 

The project is called SQUad Intelligent Robotic Radio Enhancing Links (SQUIRREL).

The technology would be used for missions, including hostage rescue, scouting, and training allies. 

The challenge is small military units operating in triple-canopy jungle face particularly difficult conditions for mobile radio frequency communication due to attenuation from layers of wet foliage. 

Based on radio technology, it may now be possible to form a dense three-dimensional mesh of radio relays to support and augment communications capabilities (e.g., in mission scenarios such as reconnaissance and hostage rescue). 

SQUIRREL seeks innovative solutions that: 

(1) are intended for a squad of no more than eight members; 

(2) maintain connectivity amongst the team as they move; 

(3) maintain connectivity with higher echelons; 

(4) minimize size, weight, and power 

For SQUIRREL, communication is presumed to be of two distinct types: inter-team and reachback. 

In jungles, the dielectric properties of wet foliage attenuate point-to-point communications to the degree that WWII communications in tropical jungles used long strings of wire as a transmission medium. 

SQUIRREL research must extend the range of wireless mobile communication in such terrain to give teams more freedom of operation. 

Reachback is establishing connectivity to U.S. communications assets, as available. Important success criteria for reachback include providing team status to higher command and providing situational awareness and directives to the team.

SQUIRREL anticipates exploiting robots (e.g., climbers, fliers or novel hybrids) as radio relays. 

SQUIRREL solutions should form a self-positioning three-dimensional mesh in support of small unit operations such as reconnaissance. 

To learn more about the project and to submit a proposal, view the DARPA posting HERE.