Soldiers bear a heavy burden while serving their homelands, which is why the US Army has awarded contracts this week to two companies for a new genera

US Army orders next-gen robot mule to haul a literal ton of gear

submited by

Style Pass

2024-09-29 14:30:19

Soldiers bear a heavy burden while serving their homelands, which is why the US Army has awarded contracts this week to two companies for a new generation of equipment-hauling robots.

The Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport Increment II (S-MET II) is set to be built by American Rheinmetall Vehicles and HDT Expeditionary Systems, the Army said. The pair were awarded a combined total of $22 million for eight prototype vehicles to be delivered at an unspecified future date.

The award for Increment II of the S-MET comes rapidly on the heels of the delivery of the original version, built by General Dynamics Land Systems. Sixteen of the original S-MET were delivered to the Army in late 2022, and by early 2024, the call had already gone out for the new one.

That original version of the eight-wheeled, radio-controlled vehicle, the US Army said, had the ability to carry half a ton of equipment and generate power for portable electronic equipment, along with having capabilities for weapon system mounting and casualty evacuation.