Ground Robotics

Mission — Ground Robotics source

Robotic Architecture (RA) supports the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) and provides evolutionary capabilities that will forever change ground maneuver warfare. Transformation in Contact (TiC) will enable commanders to dictate the terms of the first human engagement by leveraging ground robotics systems and technologies to shape and degrade threats across the multi-domain battlefield. Infantry, armor, engineer, and sustainment formations will be outfitted with autonomous capability to allow commanders to preserve manned formations and systems. FY 2026 Base dollars in the amount of $227.038 million provides the engineering and development resources for rapid prototyping. It will manage the interoperability standards, modular payload interfaces, common software and common architecture for robotics and autonomous platforms, payloads and universal controllers in support of robotics modernization. This funding supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative to modernize Command and Control (C2) systems. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.015 million for civilian personnel to optimize the workforce in compliance with Executive Order 14210, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative."

Mission — Robotic Payloads source

The Ground Robotics - Robotic Payloads project, and the Enhanced Robotic Payload - Unmanned Ground Systems (ERP) program, is a suite of modular capabilities designed with open architecture to provide an increased level of standoff, situational awareness, disruption capability and dexterity to respond to current and emergent Engineer, CBRN and EOD requirements. Current Man Transportable Robotic Systems Increment II (MTRS Inc II) and Common Robotic System - Heavy (CRS-H) system characteristics include the following: a remote-controlled articulated arm with a gripper, operating range up to 800 meters, multiple illuminated cameras, a pan/tilt surveillance camera, two-way radio, and a ruggedized operator control unit. This project will support development and testing of the following capabilities: Extended Range Mesh Network (ERMN) and Pan/Tilt Imager (PTI). The use of robotic payloads allows the first approach, to potentially explosive hazards, to be made by a robot rather than a Soldier. These multiple, modular robotic mission payloads will use open architecture to integrate with the MTRS Inc II and CRS-H platforms to form the Army's next generation platform adaptable robotics systems. BS9 Robotics Payload - Enhanced Robotics Payload has no funding request in FY 2026.

Mission — Robotics Architecture source

Robotic Architecture (RA) supports the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) and provides evolutionary capabilities that will forever change ground maneuver warfare. Transformation in Contact (TiC) will enable commanders to dictate the terms of the first human engagement by leveraging ground robotics systems and technologies to shape and degrade threats across the multi-domain battlefield. Infantry, armor, engineer, and sustainment formations will be outfitted with autonomous capability to allow commanders to preserve manned formations and systems. FY 2026 Base dollars in the amount of $227.038 million provides the engineering and development resources for rapid prototyping. It will manage the interoperability standards, modular payload interfaces, common software and common architecture for robotics and autonomous platforms, payloads and universal controllers in support of robotics modernization.

Mission — Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) source

The Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) Increment (Inc) II system provides dismounted infantry with a remote-controlled cargo/equipment transport, limited tactical resupply capability, and provides remote power, increasing mission capabilities while reducing the individual Soldier load. The S-MET Inc II will be capable of carrying 2,500 pounds of equipment currently required to support Infantry and Engineer Platoons in the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) for a 72-hour mission without resupply. SMET Inc I is only capable of generating 1-3 kW of offload power and has an operational range of 20 miles in silent mode.? However, SMET Inc II will be capable of generating at least 6kW of offload power and will have an operational range of at least 20 miles in silent mode, providing the power needed to integrate extended communications and future Modular Mission Payloads (MMP) and Technical Insertions, including autonomy. The Army Acquisition Objective (AAO) is 2,819 across S-MET Increment I (Inc I) and S-MET Increment II (Inc II).? The Army Procurement Objective (APO) for S-MET Inc I is a quantity of 624 and S-MET Inc II is a quantity of 2,195.

Mission — Common Robotic Controller source

The Robotic and Autonomous Command and Control effort (RAC2) is a software only program that is a critical capability for ground robotic vehicles: the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV), Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), and uncrewed aircraft systems: Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR), and Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR). RAC2 will provide the common information system for all Brigade and below Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Command and Control (C2). The RAC2 program meets the challenge of providing the C2 warfighting function to execute the US Army RAS Strategy in support of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). RAC2 provides soldier and machine interfaces to establish and maintain positive C2 in all phases of combat and support operations, supported by a continuously developed software ecosystem. The capabilities of RAC2 provide a unified information system at the tactical edge enabling improved situational awareness and multi-domain maneuver. FY 2026 RDTE Base dollars in the amount of $9.373 million will be utilized in the Execution Phase of the Software Acquisition Pathway. This effort will execute the development of the initial capabilities for new platforms and iterative capability updates for existing platforms. This phase will deploy software to the operational environment, conducting value assessments with the user community to mature capability requirements, and providing technical training.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (16)