U.S. Army Tests ULTRA AI Combat Vehicle Near Russian Border

The U.S. Army recently tested a fully AI-controlled ground vehicle, named ULTRA, in Vaziani, Georgia, approximately 100 miles from the Russian border, last month during a training exercise.

The ULTRA is an all-wheel drive, off-road vehicle comparable in size to a standard car. Military-published footage showed the ULTRA navigating the European terrain effectively without human intervention. During the exercise, the vehicle’s primary role involved resupplying soldiers in the field.

Both the U.S. military and the developer of the ULTRA believe the machine possesses capabilities extending beyond its current application. The Pentagon has maintained a long-term investment in drone technology and artificial intelligence, asserting for decades that these technologies represent the future direction of warfare. The operational deployment and testing of the ULTRA indicate a progression toward an era where AI-controlled robotic systems will be present on future battlefields.

Key Capabilities & Technical Insights

• Robust Autonomy Suite: ULTRA operates using Overland AI’s proprietary OverDrive software and SPARK hardware platform. It relies on onboard sensors stereo cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, thermal imaging and GPS-denied localization tools to perceive terrain and obstacles in real-time, enabling operations in low-visibility, GPS-jammed, or comms-degraded environments 

• High Payload & Mobility:

  • Payload capacity: up to 1,000 pounds (~454 kg).

  • Top speed: ~35 mph (~56 km/h).

  • Cruising range: ~100 miles (~160 km), terrain-dependent The Defense PostDefence Industry Europe.

• Resilient Networking: Equipped with mesh networking, 5G, and satellite uplinks, ULTRA remains connected across contested or remote operational environments .

• Modular Payload Design:

  • Supports various mission payloads: drones (UAS), counter-UAS gear, reconnaissance sensors, resupply cargo, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), breaching, and CBRN detection.

  • Integrates with autonomous turrets like ACS Bullfrog and uncrewed aerial systems like Spectre Hoverfly.

• Operational Efficiency & Survivability:

  • Designed to be attritable and cost-effective significantly cheaper than crewed combat vehicles, since there's no human operator to protect 

  • Offers extended mission endurance (8+ hours depending on terrain and payload) and optional hybrid or all-electric drives for flexible power options 

Real-World Feedback & Strategic Context

• Soldiers praised ULTRA’s adaptability and potential to reduce battlefield risk. Specialist Jack Padberg noted: “I would love to see more of it in the future… I think it can help us, as mortars, a lot.”.

• Lieutenant Colonel Austin Commons, squadron commander, highlighted ULTRA’s successful live-fire resupply of 60 mm and 120 mm mortars during high-threat simulation runs including its obstacle detection and autonomous canal crossing.

• ULTRA reflects the Pentagon’s ongoing effort to lean into autonomy as part of robotics-driven warfare, backed by programs such as the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) initiative. Overland AI secured an $18.6 million contract under RCV, and also raised $32 million in Series A funding, reinforcing autonomy’s growing strategic role.

Why ULTRA Matters

ULTRA represents a major stride in battlefield robotics:

• Enhances soldier safety by performing resupply and high-risk tasks autonomously.

• Advances logistics autonomy, enabling fast, reliable support without human convoys.

• Demonstrates modular, resilient architecture, adaptable to diverse mission types.

• Signals a shift in force structure, aligning with the U.S. Army’s move toward unmanned and cost-efficient combat support platforms