Army Taps Robotic Research for Resupply Convoy Autonomy Kits Under $50M Contract

Robotic Research has received a potential three-year, $49.7 million contract to supply systems for the development of prototype unmanned vehicles for a leader-follower directed requirement and program of record of the Army.

The company said Wednesday it will provide autonomy kits for the Expedient Leader-Follower program meant to allow existing large ground vehicles to self-operate in military convoy resupply missions.

Army Secretary Mark Esper said during a visit to the Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center that unmanned convoys could reduce soldiers’ vulnerability to improvised explosive devices on roads, Breaking Defense reported on May 1.

ExLF is intended to expand the Autonomous Ground Resupply program and further develop the Autonomous Mobility Applique Systems of the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration to add optionally manned vehicles to convoys led by a human-driven vehicle.

The autonomy technology for ExLF will be designed to feature common interfaces, modular kits and an open architecture that will employ AGR for future ground robotic vehicles.

The ExLF will cover Palletized Load System A1 vehicles built by Oshkosh and will involve an operational technical demonstration.