GM Defense Is Prototyping a Self-Driving Chevy Silverado HD Pickup Truck for the U.S. Army
GM Whips Up Unmanned EV Silverado HD for U.S. ArmyGM Defense
Defense contracting has long been a cash crop for automakers around the globe, and carmakers are once again turn General Motors, for its part, aims to capitalize on the future need for autonomous military transportation. On Monday, GM subsidiary GM Defense unveiled its new heavy duty pickup truck-based Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) concept at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition.
GM Defense said the concept vehicle, which is built on a Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD dual-rear-wheel skateboard architecture, will support “silent logistics and casualty evacuation.” Functional trials of the concept model are targeted for 2027.
Advertisement
“The modern defense landscape demands advanced capability, rapid fielding and sustainable scale,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “We do not begin with a blank sheet of paper. By transferring GM’s world-class engineering, supply chain and manufacturing scale directly to the service member, we are transforming customer needs into mission-ready capability faster than ever before.”
Unmanned ground vehicles range in size and mission, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but UGVs are used in fire service, law enforcement, and military applications to “improve response efficiency in hazardous environments and situations.” Most models feature a specialized mobile platform with a range of sensors and cameras.
While Chevrolet doesn’t currently offer an electric Silverado HD, the autonomously operated concept features a 100-kWh rechargeable energy-storage system and an 8000-pound maximum payload, according to Motor1. Scout AI’s Gx Ground Agent will run the autonomous driving systems. The concept model has drive-by-wire controls, onboard and export power, and open interfaces for modular payloads, according to specifications revealed at the exposition. A Locust X3 counter-drone laser weapon and a Squarehead Discovair G2+ acoustic drone-detection sensor round out the defense-focused model.
the light and agile infantry squad vehicle, already fielded to the us army’s 82nd and 101st airborne divisions, moves expeditiously across complex terrain
GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle.GM Defense
In addition to showing off this new concept, GM Defense said it plans to provide nearly 12,000 Infantry Squad Vehicles to the U.S. Army as its requirements grow. General Motors won a $214.3 million contract to produce 2065 ISV units back in 2020, and the automaker is now ready to provide even more. Infantry Squad Vehicles are built on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform and use a surprising amount of off-the-shelf parts. A 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder powers the assault vehicle, while Multimatic DSSV dampers provide superior off-road damping. It even has a 46.1-degree approach angle, and a departure angle of 42 degrees. The versatile five-soldier variant is now expected to be fielded across 39 active-duty and National Guard mobile brigades.
About Post Author
You must be logged in to post a comment.