In an increasingly tense geopolitical context, marked by new trade tensions, tariffs and budgetary uncertainties, the United States is reorienting its military priorities towards more efficient logistics. While Europe is experiencing chaos after Trump's statements, the American military is at the center of a historic turning point in the field of military vehicles program ATV-S (Autonomous Transport Vehicle – Sustainment), which aims to introduce autonomous vehicles to supply troops directly in the field.
Considered a strategic priority for future military logistics, the system is expected to enter service within the next 18 months, although the lack of a federal budget for 2025 risks slowing its implementation.
At the conference of the National Defense Industrial Association, the general Michelle Donahue he called the project an essential “game changer”: “We must optimize the combination of humans and machines to increase the lethality, survivability and agility of our forces.” The ATV-S aims to reduce soldier exposure, improve efficiency and ensure supplies even in hostile and unpredictable scenarios.
Equipped with navigation kits developed by Forterra e Carnegie Robotics, the vehicles will initially be remote-controlled, then they will move towards full autonomy; that is, convoys managed remotely and not at short distances.
But the revolution is not only technological, in fact the operational culture is also changing as the colonel explains William Arnold: “Truck masters will become true motion controllers, capable of employing these new capabilities in a dynamic and strategic way.”
The path is not without obstacles, considering the stalemate of the federal budget that forces the Army to operate with the 2024 funds. The risk is that the 12-18 months foreseen for the introduction of the system could be extended to 24 months or more. phase 2 deand test is expected to June 2025, barring delays.
From U.S. Logistics Headquarters in Fort Lee, Donahue is clear: “This will be the most radical change to our industry since trucks were introduced in 1915.” The interpretation therefore appears clear on the future of war: it will not be determineda only by drones or AI, but also by autonomous logistics solutions such as the ATV-S, capable of supporting troops continuously and automatically.
Photo: US Marine Corps
