In an era where modern warfare increasingly relies on unmanned systems to minimize human risk and enhance operational efficiency, the United States Army’s introduction of the ULTRA prototype marks a significant advancement in the race for drone dominance.

Developed by Overland AI, a Seattle-based company specializing in ground autonomy for defense applications, ULTRA—formally the “Overland AI Fully Autonomous Tactical Vehicle”—is an uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) designed to perform tactical operations in contested environments without a driver, remote operator, or even Global Positioning System (GPS) support.

ULTRA’s prototype represents a shift toward attritable, modular systems that can be deployed at scale,potentially transforming how supplies are delivered, reconnaissance is conducted, and threats are countered on the battlefield.

As tested by the United States Army in recent exercises, ULTRA embodies the military’s push for innovation, aiming to save soldiers’ lives, reduce costs, and improve logistical resilience in high-threat scenarios.

Overland AI was founded with the singular mission to equip armed forces with reliable autonomy solutions capable of navigating harsh terrains and brutal conditions, thereby increasing ground power while preserving human lives.

The company’s core technologies include the OverDrive autonomy stack, Overwatch, and SPARK, which collectively enable vehicles like ULTRA to operate autonomously in off-road settings and GPS-denied environments. OverDrive in particular empowers ground vehicles with unparalleled mobility and tactical maneuverability, allowing them to execute missions beyond line of sight without human intervention.

ULTRA’s development stems from the need to address longstanding challenges in military logistics, such as exposing personnel to enemy fire during resupply........

© The National Interest