Robotics Development

The Robotics Development program (PE 0604017A) is a key Army Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing the Army's autonomous robotic systems portfolio. The primary goal of this program is to mature emergent commercial and government technologies for potential transition into Army Programs of Record. It also develops virtual test capabilities, supports system safety testing, and enables operational force-on-force simulations for concept and tactics development. The program is structured to support the Army Transformation Initiative, consolidating robotics efforts to increase efficiency and streamline integration across the Army's ground robotics portfolio.

Within the program, the FD9: Robotics Systems line item is the central funding mechanism, supporting a broad array of research, prototyping, and evaluation activities. The objectives include demonstrating new robotic capabilities to meet current and future military needs, assessing integration potential across the Army's ground robotics systems, and accelerating acquisition schedules by supporting the development of synchronized capability documents and maturing technologies for transition. The program also funds collaboration with industry and government, technology readiness assessments, manufacturing readiness evaluations, and the drafting of acquisition and contract documents.

A significant portion of the FY 2026 budget is allocated to Emerging Robotics Systems, which focuses on validating and verifying incremental software capability upgrades for new robotic requirements. This is achieved through modeling and simulation (M&S), software-in-the-loop (SITL), and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing, which enable the transition of technologies into formal Programs of Record. The program also supports the evaluation and maturation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms, with the aim of integrating these advanced capabilities into future Army robotic systems.

Another major objective is the Autonomy Formation effort, which accelerates the fielding of robotic formations to offload risk from soldiers and enhance decision-making in Armored and Infantry Formations. This initiative integrates ground and aerial robotic systems, enablers, and payloads to support human decision-making in complex operational environments. The program supports prototype development, software productization, payload integration, and the finalization of training packages. It also addresses risks related to common architecture, communications, and safety. The success of Increment 1, focused on security and reconnaissance, will inform future developments in suppression and other mission areas.

The Advanced Ground Robotics Systems Development line item provides funding for the procurement of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) hardware to enhance the mobility, survivability, and maintainability of ground robotics platforms. This includes integrating new payloads and hardware solutions onto existing robotic platforms, with a focus on improving size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) metrics. The objective is to rapidly evaluate and insert emerging technologies to maintain the Army's technological edge in ground robotics.

In parallel, the Advanced Ground Robotics Software/Autonomy Development initiative establishes infrastructure for cloud-based tools to support the development and deployment of AI/ML software and automated testing of autonomy software. The FY 2026 goals include partnering with industry to create standardized software for next-generation autonomous systems, reducing operator workload, and improving command and control by enhancing information sharing and integration. This effort is intended to streamline the transition of advanced autonomy capabilities into operational use while ensuring robust validation and verification processes.