WMASG has found information about the intense work of the US Army concerning introduction of unmanned land vehicles into service, relieving soldiers in the field in from the need to carry heavier weapons and supplies. These "mechanical mules", as the vehicles are commonly called in military circles, are part of the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) program, which has been worked on for more past 10 years.
The "mechanical mules" are to be able to carry loads of approx. 450 kg, reaching a range of 100 km with maximum load and 72 hours of operating time. The vehicles are to be optionally armored, as well as serve as electronic recon and IED explosives neutralization units.
At present, four designs by four different manufacturers have been submitted to compete for a contract for land based unmanned vehicle for the US Army: the Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT) made by General Dynamics Land Systems.
MRZR-X by Polaris, Applied Research Associates Inc. and Neya Systems LLC
Hunter Wolf by HDT Global
and the RS2-H1 by Howe and Howe Technologies
By the end of this year, there will be trials of the above-mentioned vehicles at the 10th Mountain Division and the 101st Airborne Division. Their results be decisive in choosing the best design.
Sources: defence24.pl, breakingdefense.com, armyrecognition.com
