IDV USA has joined three other companies in the US Army’s effort to develop an autonomous engineering vehicle capable of breaching minefields and difficult battlefield obstacles. Under the Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability (EABC) programme, IDV is offering its VIKING 6×6 uncrewed ground vehicle as the basis for the required capability. The VIKING is designed to perform missions through remote control, teleoperation or autonomous operation. Its architecture supports different payload configurations, while its autonomy software is designed to simplify the integration of mission equipment. The vehicle can also navigate in environments where satellite navigation is disrupted or unavailable. Replacing Risky Breaching MethodsThe US Army already relies on systems such as the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle, mine-clearing plows, MICLIC and conventional explosives to open routes through minefields. However, the Army has identified shortcomings in current route-planning and obstacle-clearing approaches. According to the service, older systems such as MICLIC can take significant time to deploy and may face limitations against newer adversary technologies. EABC is intended to introduce autonomous systems that can clear complex obstacles more rapidly while keeping personnel farther away from minefields and other dangerous areas. Caterpillar, Forterra and Overland AI are the other participants, with Overland AI receiving a $20 million programme contract the previous week. Demonstrations and assessments will precede an evaluation by a Transformation in Contact unit in early 2027. The findings are expected to help determine whether the Army proceeds toward production of autonomous engineering systems. VIKING PlatformIDV’s VIKING has a 750-kg (1,653-lb) payload capacity and a configurable mission area. Its series-hybrid diesel-electric drive allows approximately 30 km (19 miles) of electric-only travel and more than 300 km (186 miles) in hybrid operation. The vehicle can reach 45 km/h (28 mph). Its independent suspension and 300-mm ground clearance improve mobility over difficult terrain. The UGV can cross 350-mm steps and negotiate gradients of up to 60 percent. MACE provides capabilities ranging from remote control and teleoperation to autonomous route following, reconnaissance, surveying and obstacle avoidance.
