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<\/p>\nAccording to Dr. David Stone, a senior robotic engineer with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, the EMAV is operational in all terrains, possessing the ability to not only travel through muddy fields but also to pull other vehicles out of the mud. Despite its relatively smaller size, \u201cthe thing\u2019s basically a truck,\u201d Stone said.<\/p>\n
Stone elaborated that the EMAV, which is a diesel-electric hybrid, is \u201cvery robust. Its versatility and the modular aspect \u2014 being able to do different warfighting functions \u2014 is the real value of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally designed to accompany dismounted Marines, the durable autonomous vehicle can also serve the needs of Joint Force missions, as evidenced by the exercise.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween the Army and Marine Corps, we are going after the same thing,\u201d Stone said. \u201cAnything we can do to leverage on another\u2019s work helps us do more with the money we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
While an EMAV was used for the training exercise, the Army also intends to use its Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light to serve a similar purpose in future semi-autonomous resupply missions.<\/p>\n
Following the arrival to its destination approximately two miles away, and the human-assisted replacement of the tank part in the exercise, the EMAV returned to its starting point, powering easily through gravel and dirt as it traveled among a group of heavy military trucks.<\/p>\n
The scenario demonstrated how the U.S. military can integrate new field-deployable technologies with existing ones, offering additional options to commanders while decreasing the human footprint necessary to carry out logistical resupply missions.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who are supplying us with ammo, water, food, etcetera \u2014 anything that puts Soldiers at risk, the EMAV takes them out, and it saves lives,\u201d said Pfc. Daniel Candales of 1-508 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, who was trained on the various functions of the vehicle.<\/p>\n
The Army is additionally working to develop complementary capabilities that would allow for autonomous loading of supplies and digital tracking of items and vehicles and testing prototypes for these systems at Project Convergence 2021.<\/p>\n
Reducing the need for hands-on support will also enable Soldiers who would otherwise be assisting with resupply chains to tackle other priority tasks. In addition, augmenting methods for delivering necessary equipment and supplies over treacherous ground will bolster the Army\u2019s ability to function effectively across multiple domains.<\/p>\n
\u201cLogistics is something we always have to improve upon,\u201d said Command Sgt. Maj. Robin M. Bolmer of the Army\u2019s Futures and Concepts Center, who observed the exercise. He explained that new technologies open up numerous possibilities for growth, but that \u201cthe need to sustain what we have is always going to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Futures and Concepts Center developed the initial concepts for many of the technologies and systems being tested during Project Convergence 2021, and will assume responsibility for organizing Project Convergence 2022, which is slated to include the participation of U.K. and Australian forces.<\/p>\n
Bolmer shared that he was observing this year\u2019s activities with an eye toward continual modernization progress, keeping the question of \u201chow do we build upon all the great work being done here?\u201d always at the forefront of his mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n