Lockheed Martin at SOFEX 2012 Showcasing the Squad Missions Support System SMSS 1005121.

SMSS is designed to provide the warfighter with a reliable squad-size vehicle that will improve combat readiness while assuring re-supply channels and casualty evacuations. It fills an urgent need to unburden a soldier’s load, which commonly exceeds 100 lbs (45+ kg).

End user have the possibility to send the SMSS in full autonomous mode from point A to point B and let the system pick the best route (and avoid obstacles on the way) or they have the option to use a remote to control it manually.

"The US Army feedback is overwhelmingly positive" according to Morri Leland, Director/Deputy International Business Development who was able to give us the latest update on its operational use by US Forces.

The SMSS was deployed by the US Army in Afghanistan in December 2011. The maximum distance covered so far by the SMSS with US Forces on the field is 6.4 km. This distance was the distance covered by the patrol. The SMSS prototype is list with a range of 200 km.

The maximum payload is listed at around half a ton, however Morri Leland told us that US Forces in Afghanistan have loaded the SMSS with three times the load limit and the system remained operational.

Finally the SMSS is air transportable inside a CH-47 Chinook or under medium size helicopters (Blackhawk type) with a sling.