Latest news with #RoboticCombatVehicle
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Army secretary says US can't keep pumping money into expensive weapons that can be taken out by an $800 Russian drone
Cheap drones have been used to destroy expensive systems like tanks in the Ukraine war. US military leaders are watching this trend closely and evaluating the threat for future conflicts. The Army secretary said it's not worth it to buy expensive weapons if they're vulnerable to drones. The US can't keep building and buying expensive weapons that are vulnerable to drones that are produced at a fraction of the cost, the Army secretary said. "We keep creating and purchasing these exquisite machines that very cheap drones can take out," Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said during an episode of the "War on the Rocks" podcast that aired Tuesday. "If the number is even remotely right, that Russia has manufactured 1 million drones in the last 12 months, that just makes us have to rethink the cost of what we're buying," he continued. "We are the wealthiest nation, perhaps in the history of the world, but even we can't sustain a couple-million-dollar piece of equipment that can be taken out with an $800 drone and munition," he said. Driscoll was responding to a question about whether the US military was walking away from the Robotic Combat Vehicle. He said that while the concept was valuable, the cost ratio didn't work. Cheap drones have been used to deliver precision strikes against expensive military equipment. Stringer/REUTERS The US military has been watching the war in Ukraine, where cheap drones packed with explosives are damaging or destroying expensive combat equipment like tanks, other armored vehicles, air defenses, and even warships, highlighting the vulnerability of larger and more prized weapons that are insufficiently defended. The proliferation of cheap drones — some of which cost as little as a few hundred dollars — has become a growing concern for the US military as it readies for the possibility of a large-scale confrontation between NATO and Russia in Europe or a fight with China in the Pacific. Moscow said it produced 1.5 million drones last year. A Ukrainian tank commander called Russian drones a major threat to his American-made M1 Abrams tank, which costs about $10 million. Ukraine has outfitted its Abrams tanks and other systems, including European-made tanks and American-made armored fighting vehicles, with additional armor to help protect the expensive equipment from drones, but it's not a perfect solution. Armored vehicle losses in this war have been high. Ukraine, for example, has lost more than 4,400 armored vehicles, while Russia has lost more than 12,600, according to Oryx, an open-source intelligence site that tracks military equipment losses on both sides. And drones aren't just a threat to land assets. Ukrainian naval drones packed with explosives have wreaked havoc on Russia's Black Sea Fleet. These drones have even been upgraded to launch missiles. Ukraine said one managed to take down two of Russia's $50 million Su-30 fighter jets over the weekend. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Army secretary says US can't keep pumping money into expensive weapons that can be taken out by an $800 Russian drone
The US can't keep building and buying expensive weapons that are vulnerable to cheap drones that are a fraction of the cost, the Army secretary said. "We keep creating and purchasing these exquisite machines that very cheap drones can take out," Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said during an episode of the War on the Rocks podcast that aired on Tuesday. "If the number is even remotely right, that Russia has manufactured 1 million drones in the last 12 months, that just makes us have to rethink the cost of what we're buying," he continued. "We are the wealthiest nation, perhaps in the history of the world, but even we can't sustain a couple-million-dollar piece of equipment that can be taken out with an $800 drone and munition," he said. Driscoll was responding to a question about whether the US military is walking away from the Robotic Combat Vehicle. He said that while the concept was valuable, the actual cost ratio didn't work. Driscoll's remarks come as the US military has been watching the war in Ukraine, where cheap drones packed with explosives are damaging or destroying expensive combat equipment like tanks, armored vehicles, air defenses, and even warships, highlighting the vulnerability of larger and more prized weapons that are insufficiently defended. The proliferation of cheap drones — some of which cost as little as a few hundred dollars, significantly less than more sophisticated weaponry — has become a growing concern for the US military as it readies for a potential large-scale confrontation between NATO and Russia in Europe or a fight with China in the Pacific. Moscow said it produced 1.5 million drones last year. A Ukrainian tank commander said Russian drones are a major threat to his American-made M1 Abrams tank, which costs around $10 million. Ukraine has outfitted its Abrams tanks and other systems, including European-made tanks and American-made armored fighting vehicles, with additional armor to protect the expensive equipment from drones, but it's not a perfect solution. Armored vehicle losses in this war have been high. Ukraine, for example, has lost over 4,400 armored vehicles, while Russia has lost more than 12,600, according to Oryx, an open-source intelligence site that tracks military equipment losses on both sides. And drones aren't just a threat to land assets. Ukrainian naval drones packed with explosives have wreaked havoc on Russia's Black Sea Fleet. These drones have even been upgraded to launch missiles. One managed to take down two of Russia's $50 million Su-30 fighter jets over the weekend.
Associated Press
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Kodiak Appoints Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Richard 'Ross' Coffman as Strategic Advisor and Taps Him to Establish and Lead its New Defense Advisory Council
The retired three-star general most recently led the Army's ground autonomy efforts while serving as Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Futures Command Kodiak's Defense Advisory Council will bolster the company's commitment to the deployment of autonomous vehicle technology for national defense MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak Robotics, Inc., a leading autonomous technology developer focused on the trucking and defense industries, today announced that retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Richard 'Ross' Coffman has joined Kodiak as a strategic advisor. In his position at Kodiak, Coffman will advise the company on how to commercialize and deploy its technology for national security. Coffman will also establish and chair Kodiak's new Defense Advisory Council. Coffman, a retired three-star general, previously served as Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Futures Command (AFC), AFC's second-highest-ranking officer. In that role, Coffman oversaw the modernization of the U.S. Army with an emphasis on ground robotics. Prior to this role he was Director of AFC's Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team, where he stood up the Army's ground autonomy initiatives. Prior to his role in AFC's Next Generation Combat Vehicle program, Coffman served as the Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver in the 1st Infantry Division with duty in Eastern Europe. In this role he assisted the commanding general with assessing and integrating next generation technologies to combat emerging threats. 'Lt. General Coffman's deep experience in guiding the adoption and deployment of autonomous technologies within the Department of Defense gives him a unique perspective on how to deploy these technologies for the benefits of service members,' said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak. 'His unparalleled expertise made him a sought-after asset who could have worked anywhere in the autonomous driving industry, and we're honored that he chose Kodiak.' Kodiak is launching its Defense Advisory Council to help shape strategy and deployment of Kodiak's technology with the United States Department of Defense. The Kodiak Defense Advisory Council will be built on the successful model of its Industry Advisory Council, which was launched in early 2024 to help shape the company's trucking product development, deployment, and public engagement. Coffman will help Kodiak build and expand the Council moving forward. 'Kodiak has proven its ability to leverage its commercial technologies to help solve some of the biggest challenges facing our men and women in uniform,' said Coffman. 'Kodiak is a leader in the autonomy industry, and I look forward to working with Kodiak on our shared mission to save American lives by fielding these technologies on the battlefield.' Kodiak is working with the U.S. Department of Defense to help automate future U.S. Army ground vehicles led by the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program. Kodiak built an offroad-capable autonomy system leveraging millions of miles of driving experience to build a prototype autonomous vehicle designed specifically for the U.S. Department of Defense. Additionally, Kodiak collaborated with Textron Systems Corporation to integrate the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak's self-driving system, into Textron's Systems' RIPSAW® M3 vehicle. This RIPSAW® M3 is the first Kodiak Driver-equipped vehicle without room for a human. This vehicle is completed and Kodiak and Textron Systems are jointly exploring future opportunities with both the U.S. Department of Defense and the militaries of allied nations as they look to accelerate automation into military ground vehicles. About Kodiak Robotics, Inc. Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for driverless trucking applications. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024 Kodiak became the first known company ever to deliver a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense. Learn more about Kodiak on the web at and on LinkedIn and Twitter. You can find the company press kit HERE.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Applied Intuition acquires AI software firm EpiSci
Software company Applied Intuition announced Thursday it acquired Silicon Valley autonomy firm EpiSci, whose technology has supported a slew of Pentagon programs aimed at integrating AI with military platforms. The move positions Applied, which has until now focused largely on dual-use autonomous technology for land systems, to expand its portfolio into other domains. 'We've done a lot of on-the-ground, land autonomy,' Applied's CEO Qasar Younis told Defense News. 'And we thought one area we could augment its portfolio is in other domains — in the air and on the sea ... and space as well.' EpiSci, founded in 2012, builds AI software for a number of defense applications, including surface warfare, maritime tracking, space-based missile tracking satellites and uncrewed aircraft. Last year, the Air Force used the company's software to stage the first-ever dogfights between an F-16 and an experimental fighter jet, the X-62A VISTA. US Air Force stages dogfights with AI-flown fighter jet Meanwhile, Applied has developed a suite of simulation, validation and data management software. The firm's technology is used by a range of industries — from automotive, trucking and agriculture to defense. In 2022, the Army and the Defense Innovation Unit selected the firm to provide a platform to develop and test autonomous software for the Robotic Combat Vehicle program. And last month, the Pentagon's Chief Digital and AI Office awarded the company a production contract worth up to $171 million for its software development and testing platform. Jason Brown, general manager of Applied's defense business, said the Defense Department's focus on uncrewed systems — specifically through the Replicator initiative to field thousands of low-cost expendable drones — is driving significant growth in the autonomy market. That growth means more opportunities not only for drone manufacturing firms, but for companies like Applied and EpiSci, that can equip both new and legacy systems with autonomy software. 'We want to be a part of that,' Brown said in the same interview with Younis. 'This is potentially retrofitting a lot of existing legacy systems. This is a big market that is about to explode. We're going to be able to take advantage of all of it.'
