IDV USA has been selected as one of four industry participants to develop an autonomous ground vehicle capable of breaching minefields and other battlefield obstacles for the US Army.
Under the Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability (EABC) program, the Leonardo company is proposing its VIKING uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV). The platform can operate remotely or autonomously, allowing it to perform missions while carrying a variety of payloads and engineering systems.
The VIKING features autonomy software designed to enable rapid integration of mission equipment and payloads. It can also navigate contested environments and areas where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are degraded or unavailable. According to IDV, the platform provides a flexible foundation for future engineering and maneuver missions.
US Army Autonomous Breaching Capability
The US Army currently uses several systems for breaching obstacles and minefields, including the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle, mine plows, the Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC), and conventional demolition methods.
However, the Army has identified limitations in existing route-planning and minefield-breaching capabilities. It has also noted that legacy systems such as MICLIC can be time-consuming to deploy and may be less effective against evolving adversary technologies.
The EABC program aims to provide a rapidly deployable autonomous capability capable of clearing complex obstacles and minefields while reducing the exposure of personnel to battlefield hazards.
Other companies participating in the initiative include Caterpillar, Forterra, and Overland AI, which received a $20 million contract for the program the previous week.
The EABC effort will progress through demonstrations and evaluations before a Transformation in Contact unit assessment planned for early 2027. Findings from the assessment will support the Army’s decision on production of next-generation autonomous engineering systems.
VIKING UGV Capabilities
The VIKING is a 6×6 uncrewed ground vehicle with a payload capacity of up to 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds). Its configurable payload area allows the platform to accommodate different mission systems and equipment.
The UGV uses a series-hybrid diesel-electric powertrain, providing up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) of electric-only range and more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) in hybrid operation. It can reach a maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour (28 mph).
The vehicle also features independent suspension and 300-millimeter ground clearance, allowing it to negotiate steps up to 350 millimeters high and slopes of up to 60 percent.
Its MACE autonomy system supports remote operation, teleoperation, and autonomous functions such as route following, reconnaissance, surveying, and obstacle avoidance.
