U.S. Army Could Gain Driverless Resupply With New UGV Based on Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty.

GM Defense has introduced a new Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD-based unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed to transport military supplies, evacuate wounded personnel, and support U.S. Army operations without exposing drivers to enemy fire. Combining autonomous navigation with a modular heavy-duty vehicle architecture, the system could enable ground forces to maintain battlefield logistics and conduct resupply missions in contested environments.

GM Defense's new unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), based on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty, was displayed at AUSA 2026 with Scout AI's Gx Ground Agent autonomous driving system, the LOCUST X3 counter-drone laser weapon, and the Squarehead Discovair G2+ acoustic drone detection sensor. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The development addresses a vulnerability facing modern ground forces: moving ammunition, equipment, and wounded personnel through areas increasingly exposed to artillery fire, mines, and unmanned aerial systems. By assigning certain transportation missions to autonomous vehicles, military units could maintain their supply chains without requiring a driver in every vehicle. GM Defense is pursuing this approach through a commercially derived architecture that can be adapted to different operational requirements.

The UGV is based on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty dual-rear-wheel architecture, using a skateboard configuration designed to facilitate modular payload integration. Unlike the hybrid tactical truck also developed by GM Defense, this unmanned vehicle is specifically intended for autonomous logistics support and multi-mission operations. It is designed to operate independently or alongside military formations equipped with crewed vehicles.

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The vehicle incorporates a rechargeable energy storage system with a capacity of 100 kilowatt-hours and can accommodate a maximum payload of 8,000 pounds, approximately 3,630 kilograms. Its modular configuration includes mounting points for different equipment and electrical connections to supply power. A drive-by-wire control architecture, combined with a vendor-agnostic interface, allows autonomous driving software to be integrated without requiring a specific technology provider.

The concept also incorporates Scout AI's Gx Ground Agent technology, presented at AUSA as a camera-based autonomous driving and surveillance solution. The system uses four electro-optical cameras and two thermal cameras to provide 360-degree coverage. Its Vision-Language-Action (VLA) architecture is designed to interpret operator instructions, navigate different types of terrain, and conduct surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance missions. The manufacturer describes the solution as modular, with a stated power consumption below 200 watts.

Combining an established automotive architecture with autonomous navigation technology is a central element of the project. Rather than developing an entirely new military robotic vehicle, GM Defense is adapting an existing heavy-duty truck structure to accommodate different mission systems. This open approach could allow military customers to select autonomy software, sensors, and payloads according to their operational requirements while retaining some mechanical components derived from the commercial automotive industry.

The AUSA presentation also illustrates potential applications beyond logistics transportation. GM Defense associates the LOCUST X3 modular directed-energy weapon system and the Squarehead Discovair G2+ acoustic drone detection sensor with the UGV concept. The LOCUST X3 is presented as a high-energy laser system designed to engage Group 1 to Group 3 unmanned aircraft, while the acoustic sensor provides passive detection of low-flying drones. Their inclusion indicates potential configurations for mobile counter-drone operations, although their integration and simultaneous operation aboard the vehicle have not yet been announced.

For U.S. Army formations, the immediate operational application remains unmanned logistics support. A vehicle capable of carrying more than three metric tons of equipment could transport ammunition, batteries, water, and medical supplies between dispersed positions without directly exposing a driver to enemy fire. Its modular cargo area could also accommodate equipment for casualty evacuation. Autonomous transportation is particularly relevant in environments where infrastructure has been damaged, terrain complicates movement, and electronic warfare systems may interfere with communications between deployed units.

GM Defense plans to begin functional testing of its UGV in 2027, with delivery of a prototype demonstrator to the U.S. Army expected by June of that year. This phase will support further development of autonomous navigation functions, evaluation of different mission configurations, and adaptation of the vehicle to the operational requirements of ground forces. With its modular architecture and payload capacity exceeding 3.6 metric tons, the Silverado UGV could address several U.S. Army requirements, particularly in automated resupply, casualty evacuation, and support for deployed units.

The project is part of a broader shift in military logistics across NATO and allied armed forces. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how persistent drone surveillance and precision strikes can threaten supply convoys well beyond the front line, prompting armies to disperse logistical assets and reduce personnel exposure. Autonomous vehicles derived from commercial models could eventually offer an alternative to specialized military robotic systems that is easier to manufacture at scale, particularly if existing automotive production capacity can be used. For the United States and its allies, their development creates additional options for automating support missions, maintaining supplies to dispersed units, and limiting military personnel exposure in contested combat environments.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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