Academia teams with US Army on robotic combat vehicle research
Special centre at Clemson University will investigate off-road autonomy and manned-unmanned teaming
The US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center is working with researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina to study how Bradley IFVs and in-service APCs can be converted to autonomous operation.
This research is underpinned by an $18 million DoD grant to build a Virtual Prototyping of Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) Center at Clemson.
A multi-year project will involve 60 university faculty members across seven engineering disciplines. It will focus on off-road autonomy for multi-scale vehicle fleets, including manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T); propulsion systems and smart energy; and virtual prototyping and digital engineering for autonomy-enabled off-road vehicles.
Researchers will build and validate various virtual models and simulations for off-road vehicles with advanced electrified propulsion, situational intelligence, AI-enabled autonomy and team-routing algorithms.
Development of robotic or autonomous combat vehicles feeds into one of the main modernisation priorities for the US Army. In trials held at Fort Carson in July-August (pictured), modified Bradleys and modified M113 APCs were tested to help develop learning objectives for the MUM-T concept.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
