Exclusive Report: U.S. Army tests ULTRA autonomous tactical vehicle to reduce risk in frontline logistics operations.

According to information published on July 29, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, conducted a live field test of the ULTRA autonomous tactical vehicle during Exercise Agile Spirit 25 at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) in Krtsanisi. Developed by Seattle-based defense technology company Overland AI, the ULTRA autonomous cargo vehicle is engineered to perform autonomous logistics operations in highly contested environments with no human operator or teleoperation, offering the U.S. Army a strategic advancement in autonomous ground resupply capabilities.
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An Overland AI ULTRA fully autonomous tactical vehicle navigates a roadway during a live demonstration with U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, at the Vaziani Training Area on July 29, 2025, as part of Exercise Agile Spirit 25. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

ULTRA, which stands for Uncrewed Long-range Transport Autonomy, is a purpose-built tactical vehicle that integrates Overland AI’s OverDrive autonomy software stack with a military-grade all-terrain chassis. The system is equipped with a multi-sensor navigation suite that includes high-resolution stereo cameras, LiDAR, GPS-denied localization tools, inertial measurement units, and thermal imaging. This configuration enables ULTRA to perceive its surroundings, interpret terrain, detect and classify obstacles, and dynamically reroute in real-time without relying on satellite navigation or constant communication links. Designed for electronic warfare resilience, ULTRA can operate in GPS-jammed, low-visibility, and communication-degraded environments.

During Agile Spirit 25, ULTRA completed multiple fully autonomous resupply missions across the rugged and heavily forested terrain of the Vaziani Training Area. The vehicle demonstrated point-to-point cargo delivery, off-road maneuvering, autonomous convoying, and load drop-off, simulating frontline logistics support under high-threat conditions. Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade evaluated its performance, noting its rapid route adaptation, obstacle avoidance, and capacity to reduce human exposure to battlefield threats such as improvised explosive devices and ambushes.

The test in Georgia reflects a broader U.S. Army initiative to transform how sustainment is conducted in combat operations through the integration of robotic and autonomous systems. In the United States, recent developments in autonomous cargo vehicle technologies have been accelerated under programs led by Army Futures Command, the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), and the Defense Innovation Unit. In parallel to ULTRA, platforms such as the Leader-Follower autonomous convoy system, Robotic Combat Vehicle logistics variants, and commercial prototypes like the GDLS MUTT and Polaris MRZR Alpha have undergone evaluation at Fort Liberty, Fort Irwin, and Yuma Proving Ground. These systems aim to offload dangerous and repetitive tasks from human soldiers, enabling unmanned transport of supplies, ammunition, and medical materials over extended distances.

Combat utility for autonomous cargo vehicles is especially critical in large-scale combat operations where contested logistics lines, degraded communications, and long resupply chains create significant vulnerabilities. The U.S. Army envisions uncrewed vehicles like ULTRA serving as a force multiplier in support of distributed units operating across wide frontlines. They can maintain operational tempo by delivering critical supplies during high-risk phases of maneuver, support pre-positioning of material in advance of unit movements, and reduce logistical footprint by enabling autonomous retrograde or recovery of equipment without endangering personnel.

Overland AI developed ULTRA under a Tactical Behaviors Prototype agreement with the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver a system optimized for tactical autonomy at scale. The vehicle features a modular payload bay that can be reconfigured for roles including casualty evacuation, sensor deployment, or explosive ordnance delivery. It offers up to 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of payload capacity, all-electric or hybrid drive options, and mission endurance of over eight hours depending on terrain and cargo. Its ruggedized architecture includes cyber-hardened processors and tactical mesh networking for optional integration with command elements.

The successful performance of ULTRA at Agile Spirit 25 positions it at the forefront of autonomous tactical logistics development within the U.S. Army. With further trials expected in late 2025 and early 2026, including integration with next-generation command and control systems, ULTRA could soon become a central element in the U.S. Army’s vision for uncrewed sustainment across multidomain operations.