U.S. Marines push battlefield logistics forward with new autonomous vehicles.

At Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, U.S. Marines tested unmanned ground vehicles designed to move supplies autonomously across rough terrain. The trials mark a key step in the Marine Corps’ push to modernize battlefield logistics through robotics and artificial intelligence.

In late September 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps advanced its ongoing experimentation with autonomous ground systems through a series of field tests at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The event, led by Marines from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, evaluated the performance of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) under realistic operational conditions, including off-road navigation and payload transport. Officials described the trials as part of a broader modernization initiative aimed at reducing risk to personnel and enhancing supply chain resilience in future expeditionary operations.
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An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) traverses sandy terrain during a capability demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on September 30, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

In a controlled test environment simulating expeditionary operations, the UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) navigated sandy terrain to validate its ability to transport loads across unstable surfaces without direct human control. Closely monitored by a crewed chase vehicle, the demonstration allowed Marine logisticians to assess key performance attributes including traction control, mobility, sensor integration, and the responsiveness of remote or autonomous navigation systems under operational constraints.

The U.S. Marine Corps is actively exploring the use of unmanned platforms to support logistics units operating in contested or degraded environments where traditional resupply convoys may face disruption from enemy surveillance, anti-access systems, or terrain limitations. The aim is to push autonomous vehicles into the most hazardous legs of the supply chain, supporting last-mile delivery, route reconnaissance, and resupply under fire, while reducing the exposure of Marines to battlefield threats.

Officials involved in the demonstration described the event as an early step in shaping doctrinal concepts around manned and unmanned teaming within logistics formations. “We're not just testing a robot. We're evaluating an entire concept of how unmanned systems can take the weight off our Marines and operate where it’s too risky or too slow for manned platforms,” one logistics officer told Army Recognition on background.

The test builds on earlier 2025 trials involving platforms such as the Estonian-developed THeMIS and the U.S.-manufactured Hunter WOLF, both designed to transport supplies autonomously or via remote control. Though not officially confirmed, imagery from the Lejeune demonstration suggests that similar modular UGVs were employed. These platforms can be outfitted with supply racks, sensor suites, or even power modules, allowing commanders to tailor them for a range of logistical missions.

Integrating UGVs into Marine formations would mark a fundamental shift in how the Corps approaches expeditionary logistics. Rather than relying solely on manned vehicles that require constant resupply and force protection, the future logistics grid could include swarms of unmanned assets operating semi-independently, connected through secure communications and monitored by human operators from stand-off distances.

This approach aligns with several active U.S. Marine Corps initiatives, including the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory’s Autonomy and Robotics Systems focus area, which has been driving small-unit experimentation with unmanned systems across multiple warfighting functions. Additionally, the Light Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Autonomy (LTWVA) project, supported by the Office of Naval Research, is developing autonomous kits for small platforms capable of conducting logistics missions with minimal oversight. These efforts are part of the broader Force Design 2030 strategy, which prioritizes distributed operations and low-signature mobility solutions to improve survivability in high-end conflict.

For modern military forces, the operational value of UGVs in logistics is becoming increasingly evident. In future near-peer conflicts, supply lines are expected to be contested, with adversaries targeting infrastructure, convoys, and command nodes. Unmanned systems offer a resilient and adaptable alternative. They are capable of traversing dangerous terrain, navigating with minimal signature, and executing autonomous deliveries deep into dispersed operating zones. They reduce risk to personnel, increase operational tempo in degraded environments, and provide commanders with scalable and flexible logistics options under fire.

However, challenges remain. Questions around autonomy in GPS-denied environments, cyber protection, energy storage, and terrain adaptability continue to guide Marine Corps research and development priorities. At the same time, the Pentagon’s wider focus on contested logistics in peer conflict scenarios, particularly across maritime and littoral regions, has accelerated investment in unmanned technologies.

The Camp Lejeune demonstration highlights the growing urgency within U.S. Marine Corps modernization circles to move from experimentation toward deployable capability. As threats evolve, the Corps appears increasingly committed to unmanned platforms as a core enabler of distributed operations, with logistics emerging as a critical testing ground. Additional field trials, integration with command-and-control networks, and potential limited fielding are expected in fiscal year 2026.

With the U.S. Marine Corps leading U.S. military innovation in unmanned logistics, these UGV tests represent far more than a technical evaluation. They reflect a strategic transformation in how the service plans to sustain its forces across the battlefields of the future.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.