Unmanned vehicle takes the load

The vehicle is produced by Lockheed Martin and has already been deployed in Afghanistan

The Ministry of Defence has trialled an unmanned robotic vehicle that can carry soldiers’ heavy loads to the frontline, before acting autonomously to follow an electronic “breadcrumb” trail back to base.

The squad-sized vehicle, known as a squad mission support system (SMSS), is produced by Lockheed Martin and has already been deployed with US ground forces in Afghanistan.

SMSS offers logistical support for light, early entry and special operations forces. It can carry equipment to lighten their load and provides a self-sustaining power source. This means batteries can be recharged on the move. It can also evacuate casualties.

SMSS can navigate autonomously giving forces more time to carry out other tasks. Unlike other robotic vehicles, the level of autonomy is dependable enough for the vehicle to follow a soldier across terrain without needing to use location-disclosing beacons. SMSS can be operated by remote control, tele-operation or manually.

Further potential uses for the technology include reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.

The robot was tested last month at a military proving ground in Warminster, Wiltshire.

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