Seven prototype robotic military combat vehicles were tested before members of the US military last week at the Texas A&M Rellis Campus.
Six vendors demonstrated the capabilities of their autonomous vehicles in rural and urban conditions. Military officials say the goal is to see current performance capabilities of driverless combat vehicles to learn what they are looking for in future purchases.
The event was orchestrated by the newly formed Army Futures Command, based in Austin. Unmanned combat vehicles are one of the command’s top priorities, but the Army stresses that autonomous vehicles likely won’t be introduced into the battlefield until 2024.
Each vehicle was sent through an urban obstacle course, simulating a city-based combat environment. Then, each vehicle navigated a small rock wall and a deep mud patch. The vehicles had to travel off-road and on paved roads at speeds up to 75 miles per hour, carrying a payload of 1,000 pounds. The vehicle needed to be capable of operating out of the line of sight in all weather conditions. They also needed to work at a distance of 500 to 700 meters from the operator station.
Click here for a video of the demonstration.