Marines Add Self-Driving Missile LaunchersMarines Add Self-Driving Missile Launchers

America’s Marine Corps is adding fully self-driving ground vehicles to its fleet following confirmation of a major new deal.

A newly signed $29.9 million contract allows next-generation autonomous technology to be integrated into the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires) produced by Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense, reducing the need for human driving in high-risk combat environments.

Confirmation of the deal follows two low-rate, initial production (LRIP) orders.

The self-driving technology known as AutoDrive will be provided by Maryland’s Forterra, with the arrangement constituting the Department of Defense’s first production contract specifically for ground vehicle autonomy. The deal covers 48 units, with deliveries scheduled for later this year.

The ROGUE-Fires uncrewed ground vehicle was first ordered by the Marines in 2023. It was based on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, also made by Oshkosh, but with the cabin removed and the addition of a missile launcher that could be remotely operated.

The addition of Forterra’s advanced stack and AutoDrive technology allows the vehicle to take a significant step forward in automation, moving beyond ‘leader-follower’ capabilities and, according to the company, letting the Marines take advantage of “high maneuverability for off-road applications in nearly any environment.”

Related:Kodiak Robotics, Textron Systems Unveil Self-Driving Military Vehicle

A ‘leader-follower’ operation is when one vehicle is deployed up front to guide others that are unmanned.

AutoDrive has been developed by Forterra for use in complex environments, and is already being widely used, with commercial deployments in 10 countries. It is both vehicle platform and payload agnostic, as well as able to cope with off-road environments and all types of weather, and features an array of sensors, including cross-traffic and long-range radar, mid-range and long-range lidar and infra-red cameras.

Christian Seifert, head of robotic missile systems at Forterra, hailed the deal, saying: “Fielding self-driving ground autonomy on ROGUE-Fires is crucial to the Marines’ modernization plans and Forterra is proud to partner with Oshkosh Defense on a system that will reduce casualties and improve our warfighters’ ability to fight and win.”

‍Pat Williams, chief programs officer at Oshkosh Defense, added: “By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge autonomous technologies with Oshkosh systems, we’re equipping the Marine Corps to strengthen sea denial capabilities, enhance operational agility, and maintain a decisive technological edge against evolving threats.”

Forterra is one of three companies also working with the U.S. Army on autonomous solutions, alongside Seattle’s Overland AI and Silicon Valley’s Kodiak Robotics. Kodiak showcased the autonomous Ripsaw M3 military vehicle, developed in tandem with Rhode Island’s Textron Systems last year.