FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - HDT Robotics, doing business as BLADE, has unveiled its Dire WOLF autonomous logistics vehicle after being selected as one of five industry participants in the U.S. Army's Project Sustainment initiative, a National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) program focused on developing autonomous systems to distribute supplies in contested environments.
According to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), the Army selected AM General of South Bend, Ind.; American Rheinmetall of Sterling Heights, Mich.; Carnegie Robotics of Pittsburgh; HDT Robotics (BLADE) of Fredericksburg, Va.; and Stratom of Boulder, Colo., for the Project Sustainment effort.
Collectively, the companies represent a mix of tactical vehicle manufacturers, robotics developers and autonomy specialists, suggesting the Army is evaluating multiple technical approaches to autonomous battlefield logistics rather than a single vehicle design.
BLADE's WOLF
BLADE's proposed system is a six-wheeled diesel-electric hybrid uncrewed ground vehicle derived from the company's WOLF-X robotic combat vehicle. The company said the Dire WOLF is intended to automate tactical resupply missions while reducing the need for soldiers to operate logistics vehicles in high-threat environments.
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According to BLADE, the vehicle is designed to transport thousands of pounds of cargo and features a high-horsepower hybrid diesel-electric powertrain, pivot steering for maneuvering in confined terrain, and non-pneumatic Michelin Tweels intended to eliminate flats during off-road operations. The company also said the onboard battery system provides exportable electrical power for forward-deployed forces.
Hybrid diesel-electric propulsion can reduce fuel consumption while enabling battery-powered operation and onboard electrical power generation for battlefield systems. Exportable power from logistics vehicles could support communications equipment, electronic warfare systems, counter-uncrewed aircraft systems or other mission equipment operating at the tactical edge.
BLADE said it is partnering with Carnegie Robotics and Michelin on the program. While the company did not disclose details of the vehicle's autonomy architecture or sensor suite, the partnership underscores the importance of integrating robotic mobility with autonomous navigation technologies for future logistics missions.
Project Sustainment is intended to develop autonomous capabilities for resupplying forces in contested environments where traditional logistics convoys face increasing threats from drones, long-range fire, and other battlefield hazards. Additional technical details regarding the Army's prototype evaluations and the capabilities of the selected systems have not yet been released.
