Overland AI has received a $20-million US Army contract to develop autonomous systems for clearing battlefield obstacles and minefields while reducing soldiers’ exposure to danger.
The award is part of the army’s Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability initiative, which seeks to automate one of the most hazardous combat-engineering missions.
Breaching operations open routes through defended obstacles so that troops and vehicles can advance.
Combat engineers carrying out these missions may be exposed to enemy observation and fire.
Working with partners and subcontractors, Overland AI will develop an integrated breaching capability that connects operators, robotic vehicles, autonomous software, and mission equipment.
Central to the system is OverDrive, the company’s software platform that converts different ground vehicles into autonomous systems and coordinates multiple robots.
The planned configuration would allow one operator to manage several robotic platforms. According to the company, this would reduce the number of combat engineers required to complete a breach and limit their exposure during the operation.
Breaching Capability Program
Overland AI is one of four companies participating in the initiative, alongside Caterpillar, Forterra, and IDV USA.
Their proposed systems include both modified commercial vehicles and purpose-built robotic platforms. Each can carry different equipment depending on the type of obstacle or minefield being cleared.
The vehicles are being developed to operate beyond an operator’s direct line of sight, reducing the need for combat engineers to enter exposed areas.
Following initial demonstrations and assessments, soldiers from an operational army unit are expected to test the systems in early 2027.
Their feedback will help determine whether the autonomous breaching technology is ready to advance toward production.