The U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has selected Lockheed Martin as the Integrated Systems Developer for its Expedient Leader Follower (ExLF) program.

Under this role, Lockheed Martin will lead a three-year effort to develop, integrate and test “unmanned prototype systems” that support leader/follower convoy activities within an asymmetric threat environment.

Using the prototypes developed in the ExLF program, soldiers will conduct operational technology demonstrations to not only establish operating procedures, but also shape future programs of record.

“We are leveraging 15 years of experience in developing autonomous capabilities for our customers,” explains Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Precision Fires & Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

“Our goal as the Integrated Systems Developer is to help coordinate a number of systems and vendors in achieving mature, reliable autonomous convoys to support our warfighters in complex environments.”

Soldiers conduct resupply convoys within an asymmetric threat environment compounded by long sustainment missions, adverse weather/environment and night operations. These conditions negatively affect operator safety, as well as degrade driver/operator situational awareness, and reduce resupply efficiency.

“The Expedient Leader Follower effort will equip a number of existing military ground vehicles with scalable robotic technology through the integration of modular kits, common interfaces and an open architecture to increase operator safety, improve situational awareness and increase resupply efficiency,” Campbell adds.