David Simon: Lockheed-Built Autonomous Military Tech Undergoes Further Testing

A Lockheed Martin-made autonomous system fitted into a convoy of unmanned tactical vehicles has been tested by Lockheed and the U.S. Army‘s Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Lockheed and Army personnel have performed a second round of tests on the Autonomous Mobility Applique System during a demonstration event held at the Savannah River Site, S.C., the company said Tuesday.

The program sought to evaluate if driverless convoys for the Army and Marine Corps could operate safely in urban and rural environments.

“I would describe these tests as a successful demonstration of the maturing capabilities of AMAS technology,” said David Simon, AMAS program manager at Lockheed’s missiles and fire control business.

“We will conduct further safety testing within the next month, and the program will execute a six-week operational demonstration in the July-August timeframe, during which time soldiers and marines will assess the system benefits in realistic convoy operations,” Simon added.

The recent event tested AMAS in a class of medium tactical vehicles, two palletized load system trucks, two M915 line-haul tractors, one heavy equipment transport and one medium tactical replacement vehicle.

Lockheed’s AMAS is built with a LIDAR sensor and algorithmic technology that work to automate driving functions on military vehicles, according to the company.