BLADE selected for US Army infantry autonomy initiatives

HDT Robotics, LLC, operating as BLADE, has been selected as one of six industrial partners for the US Army’s Infantry Last Tactical Mile (ILTM) initiative. This project is part of the Army’s mission autonomy program, aimed at modernizing battlefield support through improved logistical resupply and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC).

BLADE’s Hunter WOLF, a 6x6 hybrid diesel/electric multi-mission unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), has also advanced to Phase II of the GroundBreaker 1 demonstration. This phase involves a live hardware evaluation scheduled for October 19-23, 2026, at Camp Grafton, North Dakota, to assess technology maturity and operational readiness.

The Hunter WOLF is a high-readiness (TRL-9) platform capable of carrying a 1,270 kg (2,800 lb) payload. It is designed to operate in complex environments, including dense forests and steep terrain with slopes up to 60%. The vehicle is intended to reduce soldier workload by handling tasks such as tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications support.