Squad Mission Support System (SMSS)

Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) is currently being tested with troops in Afghanistan. Lockheed Martin touts this 2200 kg system as the largest autonomous ground vehicle ever deployed with the infantry. The mission of the SMSS is to carry the gear of foot soldiers who often find themselves toting packs weighing 100 pounds (45 kg) or more, which contributes to high levels of back injury. It can carry some 1,200 pounds (544 kg) of gear. It can be driven, or allowed to drive by itself using points on an electronic map, or even programmed to follow behind a soldier at a fixed distance, regardless of whether the person is walking or running. Four SMSS vehicles were deployed to Afghanistan at the end of 2011 and arrived at a forward operating base in January 2012.( Source:Thomson Reuters)