The Army has picked Lockheed Martin [LMT] to integrate systems for its program to equip ground vehicles with robotic technology for potential autonomous resupply operations, the company said on Monday.
Lockheed Martin is tasked with running a three-year effort to develop and test unmanned prototype systems for convoy activities under Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center’s (TARDEC) Expedient Leader Follower (ExLF) program.
“We are leveraging 15 years of experience in developing autonomous capabilities for our customers. Our goal as the integrated systems developer is to help coordinate a number of systems and vendors in achieving mature, reliable autonomous convoys to support our warfighters in complex environments,” Gaylia Campbell, a Lockheed Missiles and Fire Control vice president, said in a statement.
Soldiers are expected to use the prototype vehicles integrated with Lockheed Martin’s autonomous robotic technology to inform future resupply leader/follower convoy programs of record.
“The Expedient Leader Follower effort will equip a number of existing military ground vehicles with scalable robotic technology through the integration of modular kits, common interfaces and an open architecture to increase operator safety, improve situational awareness and increase resupply efficiency,” Campbell said.
Leveraging autonomous technology for resupply missions in adverse environments will lessen operator safety concerns related to long sustainment missions, harsh weather conditions and complications from night operations, according to Lockheed Martin officials.