The U.S. Army has chosen a winner in its competition to develop a Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) vehicle. The General Dynamics Land Systems Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT), an eight-wheel-drive robotic ground vehicle, will be used to haul around 1,000 pounds of equipment alongside soldiers in the field.
General Dynamics was awarded an initial $162.4 million contract for 624 vehicles, with deliveries beginning in 2021. The contract runs through October 2024.
MUTT was competing against the Polaris MRZR X, the HDT Expeditionary Systems Global Hunter WOLF, and the Howe & Howe Grizzly. HDT’s Hunter WOLF is in the running for the Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light program, along with offerings from Textron and QinetiQ North America.
The SMET competitors had provided 20 prototypes for field testing prior to the contract award. An earlier round of demonstrations also involved systems from American Robot Company, Lockheed Martin, AM General, Robo-Team NA, and QinetiQ North America.
Shaun's deep-rooted interest in military equipment continues in his role as a senior defense analyst with a focus on the United States. He played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, an interactive online product that tracks Pentagon acquisition programs throughout the congressional budget process. As editor of International Military Markets – North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. He is a regular contributor to Forecast International's Defense & Security Monitor blog and has co-authored white papers on global defense spending and various military programs.
