Multi-mission robotic vehicle hauling 2,800 pounds, 15 kW power tackles field trials

The U.S. Army will put BLADE’s Hunter WOLF robotic vehicle through field evaluation with the 82nd Airborne Division. The training event is scheduled for August 20 at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Soldiers will test how the unmanned ground vehicle handles support tasks during demanding military operations. Hunter WOLF is designed to carry heavy loads without adding that burden to dismounted troops. Its 2,800-pound payload capacity gives units another option for moving equipment and supplies. The vehicle can also support casualty evacuation and mobile power missions. That combination could help soldiers spend less time hauling equipment and more time focused on combat tasks. Dismounted support BLADE developed Hunter WOLF around the needs of light infantry units. Its compact design aims to provide substantial carrying capacity without relying on conventional vehicles. The platform can transport equipment across difficult terrain where larger vehicles may struggle. It can also operate at a distance from soldiers, reducing the physical demands of routine support work. The upcoming evaluation will give 82nd Airborne soldiers hands-on experience with the system. They will operate the vehicle and assess how it fits into different mission scenarios. BLADE plans to configure Hunter WOLF for several roles during the exercise. Those configurations include tactical communications, equipment transport, and casualty evacuation. The vehicle will also carry five Universal Battery Chargers and two AN/VRC-158 tactical radios. A 15-kilowatt power system will provide 120/240-volt AC electrical output. Extended cargo rails will further expand the vehicle’s ability to move mission equipment. Airborne testing The 82nd Airborne Division brings a particularly demanding operational profile to the evaluation. The Army describes the unit as a rapid-response force capable of worldwide deployment within 18 hours. Its focus on airborne operations makes mobility and logistics especially important. Hunter WOLF will therefore face an evaluation shaped by the needs of highly mobile infantry forces. Tom Van Doren, BLADE’s president of robotics, said unit feedback remains central to the evaluations. “Every event helps validate the flexibility of the platform,” Van Doren said. He added that the trials can reveal ways to reduce soldiers’ workload and exposure to danger. John Conway, BLADE’s vice president of business development, said the 82nd Airborne offers a distinct perspective. He pointed to the division’s emphasis on rapid movement and mobile infantry operations. Those priorities will help determine where Hunter WOLF can provide practical support. Broader trials The Fort Polk exercise is part of a wider series of Army evaluations for Hunter WOLF. Earlier trials involved the 3rd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division and the 101st Airborne Division. Each evaluation gives soldiers an opportunity to assess the vehicle under different operational conditions. Their feedback can also influence how units configure and employ the robotic platform. For the Army, the broader goal extends beyond moving cargo. Robotic ground vehicles could take on physically demanding support missions and give soldiers greater freedom to focus on core tasks.Hunter WOLF’s expanding test footprint suggests the Army is examining where that capability fits across different formations. The 82nd Airborne evaluation will provide another real-world measure of its utility.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.