Overland AI's new Ultra autonomous vehicle can be deployed in combat zones without needing a single human command.

On April 14, 2025, the US company Overland AI launched the Ultra, a fully autonomous, uncrewed ground vehicle developed for military operations in challenging environments. The vehicle is equipped with Overland AI’s proprietary OverDrive autonomy software and Spark hardware infrastructure, both developed in-house. Ultra is a modular and attritable system designed to function without a human operator, and it is currently in production. It is intended to be deployed beyond line of sight and to operate in contested and electronically denied areas without requiring GPS or pre-mapped routes.
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The Ultra is built for use in difficult off-road conditions, including areas characterized by dense forests, mud, ice, snow, sand, brush, and volcanic terrain. (Picture source: Overland AI)

The OverDrive autonomy software allows Ultra to perform waypoint navigation, operate in formations, and be remotely teleoperated. The system relies on onboard passive sensors to analyze terrain in real-time, avoiding the need for external guidance or remote mapping. It is designed to operate in environments with limited or no communication infrastructure. Ultra can communicate via local mesh networks, 5G, and satellite uplinks, and it can be monitored or controlled using standard tools such as the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK). Ultra also supports multiple modular payloads, including airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, counter-uncrewed aerial system (UAS) modules, remote weapon stations such as the ACS Bullfrog, and a payload dropper developed by Overland AI. The system architecture supports integration with uncrewed aerial systems like the Spectre Hoverfly.

The vehicle’s platform includes an adaptable flat deck with L-track mounting, vertical hitch receivers, shackles, and side rails to accommodate mission-specific payloads. Use cases include reconnaissance, logistics support, breaching operations, CASEVAC, resupply, spectrum and terrain shaping, CBRN detection and decontamination, and other military roles. Its operational concept supports distributed, networked, and integrated employment across multiple domains. Ultra can be configured to deliver layered counter-UAS protection and support rapid and decisive maneuver operations.

The Ultra is built for use in difficult off-road conditions, including areas characterized by dense forests, mud, ice, snow, sand, brush, and volcanic terrain. It has a top speed of 56.3 km/h, a maximum payload of 453.5 kg, and a gross vehicle weight of 1,588 kg. The vehicle measures 3.94 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width, and 1.52 meters in height, with a ground clearance of 36.8 cm. The cruising range is up to 161 km at 32.2 km/h, depending on terrain. It is powered by a 999cc engine rated at 114 horsepower and includes a 100AH 24V battery, which enables two hours of idle time with the engine off. The power system includes a NATO 24V connector and provides 1 kW of power for payloads.

The OverDrive autonomy software allows the Ultra to perform waypoint navigation, operate in formations, and be remotely teleoperated by relying on onboard passive sensors to analyze terrain in real-time, thus avoiding the need for external guidance or remote mapping. (Picture source: Overland AI)

Overland AI tested Ultra at Project Convergence Capstone 5 (PC-C5), the U.S. Army’s principal technology demonstration event, in cooperation with the Sandhills Project and the 20th Engineer Brigade of the XVIII Airborne Corps. During the event, Ultra operated as part of joint experimentation for autonomous breaching missions. U.S. Army personnel from the 27th Engineer Battalion trained on the system, executing operational tasks including startup, mission execution, and system shutdown without external support. Overland AI’s team supported integration with General Dynamics Land Systems’ Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) platform. The autonomous systems were used in live breaching exercises with two payload configurations: a trailer-mounted UAS designed for mine clearance and a drone launcher developed by Stratin Engineering for deploying small drones.

The OverDrive and Spark systems were also integrated into Textron’s Ripsaw and Polaris’ RZR vehicles. Previously, the SMET was operated using a tethered hand-held remote; it now features autonomous capabilities through the integration of Overland AI’s full autonomy stack, including OverWatch, a command-and-control interface designed for mission coordination.

In April 2024, Overland AI received an $18.6 million-ceiling prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreement from the U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) under the Ground Vehicle Autonomous Pathways (GVAP) program. This 24-month contract supports the development of autonomous vehicle capabilities for the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program. Overland AI is responsible for adapting its OverDrive software to support autonomous navigation through complex terrain in contested environments without GPS. The company was selected alongside Anduril Industries and Palantir Technologies, which are contributing to systems integration. Overland AI’s OverDrive software is already in use by the United States Marine Corps and has been tested under the DARPA RACER program. The software’s key capability is the ability to navigate without pre-defined routes or GPS support, using passive sensors to interpret terrain and enabling long-range remote control without manual route planning.

Overland AI was established in 2022. Its team includes personnel with prior experience at Google, NVIDIA, Apple, Waymo, Aurora Innovation, Embark Trucks, Argo AI, SpaceX, RTX, and the U.S. Army. The company’s focus is on developing autonomous systems for off-road environments through applied artificial intelligence and machine learning research. Its stated goal is to deliver robotics and autonomous platforms capable of operating in any terrain under variable and complex conditions.

The vehicle’s platform can be used for reconnaissance, logistics support, breaching operations, CASEVAC, resupply, spectrum and terrain shaping, CBRN detection and decontamination, and other military roles, depending on the mission requirements. (Picture source: Overland AI)