U.S. Army Taps Six Firms for Autonomous Last-Mile Vehicle Prototypes

The Infantry Last Tactical Mile, or ILTM, covers the exposed route between support units and the forward line, where troops moving supplies, equipment and casualties face intense surveillance and fire. The U.S. Army wants autonomous unmanned ground vehicles to resupply dismounted formations, evacuate at least two casualties and extend battlefield networks. Beyond-line-of-sight control and navigation in GPS-denied terrain are central requirements, reflecting lessons from drone-saturated combat and the Pentagon’s push to reduce soldiers’ exposure on high-risk logistics routes.

The Army’s CPE Mission Autonomy office on Aug. 11, 2026 selected Maren-Go, Overland AI, Forterra, Hendrick’s Motorsports, American Rheinmetall and HDT for prototype Other Transaction Agreements. Each vendor is expected to deliver four production-ready prototypes, for 24 vehicles in total; contract values were not disclosed and formal awards are due to be finalized within weeks. Overland AI plans to offer its ULTRA platform, while American Rheinmetall will propose the Mission Master SP-H with Path autonomy. Demonstrations will culminate in an operational assessment with an Army unit in early 2027.