The first American autonomous ground vehicles are fighting in Ukraine

Forterra, a U.S. manufacturer of autonomous vehicles, has announced the deployment of over 100 self-driving ATVs in Ukraine's conflict zones for the past nine months. This initiative is believed to represent the largest use of autonomous ground vehicles in combat by any American defense technology company. Scott Sanders, Forterra’s chief growth officer and a former U.S. Marine officer, emphasized that true understanding of defense technology only comes from real combat situations. Funded by U.S. defense resources, this mission aims to bolster the U.S. military's support for Ukraine as it confronts Russian aggression. While aerial drones have captured most attention in modern warfare, the strategic landscape necessitates ground-based autonomy as well. Sergeant Major Corey Wilkens, who leads a program for developing autonomous vehicles within the U.S. Army, underscored the vulnerability of ground troops against various aerial threats, stating, "There’s nowhere to hide." Ukraine has begun to develop its own uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) to transport supplies and evacuate injured soldiers. However, these units are generally battery-powered and limited to a 250-kilogram carry capacity. In contrast, Forterra’s Lancer vehicles, which are based on Polaris ATVs and fitted with advanced sensors, are gas-powered and capable of transporting up to 750 kilograms, enhancing their utility on the battlefield. A Ukrainian soldier involved in UGV operations praised the Lancer for its logistical capabilities, stating, "It’s fantastic, and we are dying to get more." Initially, there were concerns about the suitability of Forterra's vehicles for the conflict, but modifications—such as the integration of a Starlink satellite antenna—have proven invaluable. Since their arrival in Ukraine in October, these vehicles have completed over 1,100 missions, traveled more than 2,500 miles, and handled a total of 777,440 pounds of cargo, including 52 casualty evacuations. However, some units have been lost due to combat conditions, particularly in challenging terrains. Forterra has gained valuable insights from its experiences, including lessons on electronic warfare and the importance of remote software updates. With over $500 million raised in venture funding, the company is now well-positioned to compete for significant national security contracts. While the Lancers can navigate autonomously, they are primarily operated by Ukrainian troops in combat zones, as their value makes them too precious to risk losing. The vehicles currently lack the capability to recognize and respond to enemy threats autonomously, which remains a critical area of development. To address these challenges, Forterra is working on integrating self-driving car algorithms with advanced AI, enabling machines to interact intelligently with their environment. However, acquiring the necessary training data poses a significant hurdle. Competitors, including Scout AI, which recently secured $100 million for military autonomous platform development, are also tackling similar challenges. Despite the limitations of current UGV technology, military experts advocate for increased investment in these tools, indicating that ground autonomy is more feasible now than ever. Scott Philips, Forterra's chief innovation officer, recently visited a Ukrainian operations center to observe the vehicles in action, which earned him respect from the troops for his commitment. He noted the critical areas in which processes remain manual and highlighted opportunities for automation to reduce the workload on personnel. A pressing concern from Ukrainian forces is the need for more cost-effective solutions. While Forterra’s Lancers are competitively priced due to their reliance on Polaris’ commercial supply chain, they still represent a significant investment. As attrition becomes a harsh reality in combat, the demand for additional units—at a lower cost—remains a priority for the Ukrainian military.