SUMIDS, Small Unmanned Multi-Domain Systems, are single-person-portable / single-person-operable military unmanned systems that perform functions in two or more domains, notably air and ground. Meticulous design and detailed integration of the most appropriate and synergizing subsystems engender optimized multi-domain capability in SUMIDS. Conceived, developed, and evolved by Darack Research founder Ed Darack, SUMIDS use both passive and active mechanisms to optimize situational awareness and signature at the tactical and operational levels, dramatically projecting warfighter capability. In addition to individual systems, the SUMIDS concept comprises constellations of specialized platforms that a warfighter can deploy and utilize in concert with one another, including marker beacons and pods carried by a SUMIDS vehicle. Ed Darack developed the SUMIDS concept based on years of direct observation of warfighters in training and while deployed to combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Darack created the concept and evolved individual SUMIDS for small units, including fire teams, squads, and platoons, and specialized teams including Scout Sniper teams and special operations teams, notably those tasked with special reconnaissance.

The SUMIDS concept is best exemplified by the Darack Research DSA-2 (Darack Research SUMIDS (Aerial)), a quadrotor system that weighs less than 12 pounds total, including controller, spare batteries, and spare componentry. The DSA-2 features a form that is easily adaptable to specialized applications (including multiple tie-down points), a fully articulating sensor package mounted atop the craft’s forward extremity, an easily configurable landing gear system, and a 2-point cargo system. An operator can fly the DSA-2 over an area of interest (AOI) and perform aerial ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and then land it atop a key terrain feature and either power down or conduct low-power-consumption static ISR from the ground with the fully articulating sensor package. The sensor package comprises a laser pointer, a high-output visible wavelength illuminator, and a high-output 850-nanometer infrared illuminator. The DSA-2 can also be fitted with a self-marker. Furthermore, the DSA-2 can deploy up to two individual, remotely activated marker beacons or pods to mark targets or to create landing zones or other designated tactical points. The ability to power the system remotely allows for mission times not in minutes, but in days, where a remote operator can conduct ISR at intervals, and then remotely reposition the DSA-2 as a mission requires, saving energy. The combination of passive ISR systems and active marking and illumination systems allows an individual warfighter to build a tremendous level of situational awareness remotely for all components of an operation at the tactical and operational levels. This parallels the capabilities of an on-site warfighter using an integrated pointing and illumination module (like a PEQ-16B, which comprises a visible and an infrared laser pointer and a visible and an infrared illuminator). Furthermore, SUMIDS allows this next generation of situational awareness to be built while maintaining optimized signature, engendering a massive evolutionary leap of multi-domain capability.

SUMIDS engenders a next-generation level of detailed integration of small and specialized unit capability into a greater multi-domain, combined arms campaign. From a covered, signature-optimized position, a small unit can perform persistent surveillance of an AOI or specific target, mark targets, and mark landing zones and other tactical locations for other elements in an evolving operation, “painting the battlespace” remotely. SUMIDS further allows battle damage assessment and continued remote situational awareness optimization using onboard active systems like illuminators and laser pointers, including during in extremis situations, as an operation evolves.

Comprehensive, In-Depth SUMIDS Overview (.pdf)

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