US Army orders new robots capable of carrying 2,000 pounds
What just happened? More robots are entering the US Army, but these aren’t early prototype Terminators or anything like that; they’re equipment-carrying robots able to haul up to 2,000 pounds of gear. The military says these machines will help reduce the risk of soldiers suffering from fatigue and injuries caused by carrying excessive physical loads.
The Army has announced that it has awarded contracts to American Rheinmetall Vehicles and HDT Expeditionary Systems for its Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport Increment II (S-MET II) program. Each company will receive $22 million to build eight prototype military vehicles.
The original version of S-MET (pictured), manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, were delivered to the Army in late 2022. The 16 eight-wheeled, radio-controlled vehicles are capable of moving up to 1,000 pounds of equipment. They can also carry weapons systems, and their uses include evacuating casualties, explosive ordnance disposal, and more.
For the successor to S-MET, the Army is requesting several upgrades, the main one being the doubling of its payload capacity to a maximum of 2,000 pounds. Other improvements include making the robot quieter and improving reliability, as well as higher exportable power, which will enable them to, for example, operate unmanned aircraft systems.
The new vehicles will also have worldwide grid charging, a dismounted wireless mesh communications network, and modular, open architecture that allows easier and more cost-effective upgrades.
Kyle Bruner, project manager for force projection within the Army, said that S-MET Increment II aims to address critical gaps related to the excessive physical burdens faced by soldiers while enhancing operational autonomy through improved recharging capabilities.
Following the prototype phase and developmental testing, the Army has a procurement goal of up to 2,195 of the SMET II systems by the end of 2027.
The Reg notes that the original S-MET is based on the existing Multi-Utility Tactical Transport, or MUTT, which was also built by General Dynamics. The Army never said why the company wasn’t picked to build the latest version of the robot.
The advancement of technology within the military has been plain to see over the last few months. The Army signed a $1 billion deal to procure a fleet of Switchblade drones in August, which will be used to defend Taiwan should China decide to invade. The Army is also using AI to upgrade existing missile systems to protect against drone threats.
