Textron Systems and Kodiak Robotics to build autonomous military vehicles
On May 20, 2024, the American company Textron Systems, a developer of both crewed and uncrewed military ground vehicles, announced a strategic partnership with Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving technology firm serving the trucking and defense sectors. This collaboration aims to create an advanced autonomous military ground vehicle specifically designed for driverless operations.
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To date, Textron Systems provides a range of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that could form the platform of this prototype. For instance, the Ripsaw M5 is a prominent model known for its speed, mobility, and modular design. It can be equipped with various payloads, including medium-class anti-armor automatic cannons and Javelin anti-tank guided missile launchers. (Picture source: Textron Systems)
The purpose-built uncrewed military vehicle, a prototype by Textron Systems, will integrate Kodiak’s autonomous system known as the Kodiak Driver. This integration represents Kodiak’s first instance of embedding its technology into a vehicle designed without accommodating a human driver. The collaboration will combine Textron Systems’ experience in developing air, land, and sea vehicles with Kodiak’s application of its AI-powered autonomous driving technology to military settings.
The core technology for the new military vehicle is derived from Kodiak’s autonomous long-haul trucks, tested across nearly 3 million miles of real-world operations. The vehicle will incorporate Kodiak DefensePods, adaptations of Kodiak’s modular SensorPods designed for military use. These DefensePods are pre-calibrated, pre-built hardware enclosures housing the necessary sensors for autonomous driving, allowing field technicians to replace them in less than 10 minutes without specialized training.
Textron Systems has a history of designing, developing, and manufacturing military ground vehicle systems. The partnership with Kodiak aims to integrate advanced autonomous technology into its uncrewed military ground vehicle systems, enhancing their functionality, adaptability, reliability, and ruggedness. By integrating the vehicle with Kodiak’s AI-powered autonomy software and modular DefensePods, the collaboration advances the delivery of a mission-ready autonomous system.
The initial phase of the collaboration involves integrating Kodiak’s technology into the Textron Systems uncrewed military vehicle, with a demonstration of its driverless operations planned for later in 2024. Following this demonstration, Textron Systems and Kodiak intend to explore further opportunities with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and allied military forces worldwide, aiming to accelerate the integration of autonomous capabilities into military ground vehicles. To prove its capabilities, in December 2023, Kodiak introduced its first autonomous test vehicle specifically designed for the DoD, a Ford F-150 equipped with Kodiak’s technology.
In December 2023, Kodiak introduced its first autonomous test vehicle specifically designed for the DoD, a Ford F-150 equipped with Kodiak’s technology. (Picture source: Kodiak Robotics)
To date, Textron Systems provides a range of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that could form the platform of this prototype. For instance, the Ripsaw M5 is a prominent model known for its speed, mobility, and modular design. It can be equipped with various payloads, including medium-class anti-armor automatic cannons and Javelin anti-tank guided missile launchers. The M5 is powered by a diesel-hybrid electric powertrain, enabling it to keep pace with the main fighting forces. It supports multi-domain missions such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and direct combat support, facilitated by its open architecture that integrates technologies like the Teledyne FLIR 360-degree situational awareness system.
The Ripsaw M3 Technology Demonstrator is another variant, designed as a smaller yet capable platform derived from the M5. It features enhanced wet gap crossing and swimming capabilities, maintaining the flat-deck configuration of the M5, which allows for the accommodation of multiple payloads. Additionally, Textron Systems offers the RS2, a smaller UGV designed for high mobility and versatility in harsh conditions. The RS2 features a hybrid diesel-electric drive and can navigate difficult terrains while integrating various mission packages, such as improvised explosive device defeat rakes and counter unmanned aircraft systems. Its modular design and simple wireless controller make it suitable for operations in challenging environments.
On the other hand, Kodiak Robotics has introduced its sixth-generation autonomous truck, designed for broad commercial use. Debuted at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, this driverless-ready truck includes a pneumatic braking system with triple redundancy, dual-redundant steering, and a proprietary safety computer known as the Kodiak ACE. These trucks have undergone extensive testing, covering over 2.5 million miles and carrying 5,000 loads, demonstrating their capability to handle long-haul operations on public roads. The technology is also truck-agnostic, meaning it can integrate with various manufacturers while maintaining consistent safety standards.
Kodiak Robotics plans to deploy these autonomous trucks on a commercial route between Houston and Dallas later this year. This deployment follows years of development and testing, including partnerships with companies such as IKEA for pilot autonomous freight deliveries. The sixth-generation trucks are equipped with advanced features like SensorPods housing LiDAR sensors and microphones for detecting emergency vehicles, providing comprehensive situational awareness. Kodiak aims to set a standard in driverless trucking technology by emphasizing the robustness and reliability of their systems under real-world conditions.
