Unmanned Logistics Vehicles

After more than ten years of war in both Iraq and Afghanistan and trillions of dollars spent fighting those wars, the United States Military is forced to reevaluate some of the systems behind sustainment of the forces that fight wars on behalf of the United States of America.

One of the largest issues the Army was forced to deal with during the duration of both wars was the widespread threat of Improvised Explosive Devices.  Systems such as the MRAP have helped to reduce the lethality of the IED threat, however the Army is seeking ways in which they can further reduce the number of casualties caused by IEDs.  One way in which the Army is seeking to reduce to number of casualties is through the use of Unmanned Ground Vehicles.  

 The use of these vehicles can be used to carry out logistics operations without putting servicemen and women in harm's way.  Currently, this technology is under development by organizations such as the Oshkosh Corporation as well as several other organizations.  In 2012 Oshkosh completed its TerraMax program aimed at developing a vehicle with the ability to carry a 7 ton payload.  The vehicle also has the ability to autonomously carry out predetermined missions or operate under the remote control of a human operator.  The operation of these vehicles can also be integrated in order to create convoys to move larger quantities of supplies.

An unmanned ground logistics vehicle are closely tied to the Generate-Transport-Sustain-Redeploy (G-T-S-R) concept of military logistics.  Specifically, the vehicle fits into the Transport aspect of the theory.  Such technology would serve to redefine the way in which logisticians plan logistics missions.  Unmanned capabilities allow soldiers to be kept safe thus making IEDs less of a threat.  Additionally,  removing troops from the logistics chain can help to reduce the cost of war on both the taxpayers and on human lives.  

As organizations such as Oshkosh continue to refine this technology it is likely that it military logisticians will find themselves with more flexibility when it comes to mission planning and having the ability to sustain soldiers.  Prior to these vehicles becoming available to the armed forces, continued work must me done on the sensors that help control these vehicles.  The off-road capabilities of these sensors is still rather ineffective.  As technology improves it is likely that these unmanned ground vehicles will become for effective and prepared to become a valuable tool for the Armed Forces.