U.S. Marine Corps awards $20M contract to Overland AI for autonomous ground vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command awarded Seattle-based Overland AI a $19.7 million sole-source contract to supply fully autonomous unmanned ground vehicles and OverWatch/OverDrive software. The vehicles will support the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) for counter-drone and air defense missions, plus resupply and ISR tasks. About a dozen vehicles are to be delivered within nine months, with deliveries required by October 2027. The contract marks the first production agreement for ground autonomy with the U.S. military, leveraging technology from DARPA’s RACER program and lessons from the Ukraine conflict.
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U.S. Marine Corps Inks First Production Contract for Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps awarded a $19.7 million production contract to Overland AI for more than a dozen fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking the first production contract for ground autonomy technology within the U.S. military. The vehicles, due for delivery by early 2027 within nine months, will be integrated into the Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems (MADIS) program to support resupply and counter-drone missions. The platforms are designed to operate autonomously—perceiving, planning, and navigating—with optional remote operator control. They will integrate with existing JLTV platforms and may be used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The contract was issued under the Pentagon's APFIT rapid acquisition program. Overland AI previously demonstrated its autonomy on the ROGUE Fires prototype. The Marine Corps program manager stated the autonomous platforms will extend operational reach and lethality of air defense units.
Defense One - All ContentMarine Corps Signs First Production Contract for Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded Overland AI a $19.7 million contract to produce more than a dozen fully autonomous ground vehicles by early 2027. The vehicles will be integrated into the Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems (MADIS) program, supporting ground-based air defense and counter-drone missions. Initially used for resupply, the platforms may later be adapted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The vehicles can operate fully autonomously—perceiving and navigating their environment—or be remotely controlled. The contract was awarded through the Pentagon's rapid acquisition APFIT program. Overland AI previously demonstrated its autonomous technology with the Marine Corps on the ROGUE Fires prototype. The vehicles are designed to integrate with existing platforms like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Marine Corps officials stated the capability will extend the operational reach and lethality of air defense units.
Defense One - All ContentMarine Corps signs first contract for autonomous ground vehicle production
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded Overland AI a $19.7 million contract to produce more than a dozen fully autonomous ground vehicles for delivery by early 2027. The vehicles will be integrated into the Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems (MADIS) program, primarily for counter-drone and resupply missions, with potential uses in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The contract, awarded via the Pentagon's APFIT rapid acquisition program, marks the first production contract for a ground autonomy company with the U.S. military. The vehicles are designed to operate autonomously via onboard perception and planning, with remote override capability, and will interface with existing platforms like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. Overland AI's CEO cited the war in Ukraine as evidence of the growing need for unmanned ground vehicles.
Defense One - All ContentUS Marine Corps Awards $20 Million Contract for First Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Seattle-based Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking a milestone as the first such production agreement for ground autonomy with the U.S. military. The vehicles will support ground-based air defense against drones and low-flying aircraft, and may be integrated into the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). Overland's autonomy stack is already used on General Dynamics' S-MET, Textron's Ripsaw M5, and by DARPA. The contract covers about a dozen vehicles, to be delivered in about nine months, with potential uses including resupply, ISR, and air defense transport. CEO Byron Boots noted high demand from U.S. operational units, citing exercises with the 173rd and 82nd Airborne Corps. The vehicles are not theater-specific, but capable of traversing diverse terrain, with the Pacific theater being a focus for the Marine Corps' air defense modernization.
C4ISRNetUSMC awards $20 million contract for first autonomous ground vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking a milestone as the first production agreement for ground autonomy with the U.S. military. The vehicles will transport air defense systems, including potential integration with the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), to counter hostile drones and low-flying aircraft. Overland AI CEO Byron Boots stated the contract reflects growing demand from operational units and a shift from experimentation to production. The vehicles, about a dozen in number, will be delivered in approximately nine months and are capable of traversing diverse terrain. Overland AI's autonomy stack already powers military vehicles used by the Army, DARPA, and others. The contract was awarded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
Marine Corps TimesUS Marine Corps awards $20 million contract for first autonomous ground vehicles
The US Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking the first such production agreement for ground autonomy with the US military. The vehicles will transport air defense systems, including potential integration with the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). Overland AI CEO Byron Boots stated the contract, awarded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, signals a shift from experimentation to production, driven by high demand from operational units. The company has already demonstrated autonomous vehicles in exercises with the Army's 173rd and 82nd Airborne divisions. About a dozen vehicles are to be delivered in approximately nine months, with capabilities including resupply, ISR, and possibly counter-drone operations, though specific model details remain undisclosed.
Defense NewsUS Marine Corps Awards $20 Million Contract for First Fully Autonomous Ground Vehicles to Overland AI
The US Marine Corps has awarded a landmark $20 million production contract to Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking the first such production agreement for ground autonomy with the US military. The Seattle-based company will deliver approximately a dozen vehicles over nine months, initially focused on resupply and ISR missions, with potential integration into the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) counter-drone platform. Overland's autonomy software already powers multiple military systems, including the Army's S-MET and Textron's Ripsaw M5. The contract, issued through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering using Other Transaction Authority, signals a shift from experimentation to production. CEO Byron Boots cited high demand from operational units and lessons from uncrewed ground vehicle use in Ukraine as driving factors. The vehicles are designed to traverse varied terrain and remove human operators from dangerous proximity to threats.
C4ISRNetUSMC awards $20 million contract for first autonomous ground vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Seattle-based Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking the first such production agreement for ground autonomy with the U.S. military. The contract, issued through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, will deliver about a dozen vehicles within nine months. The vehicles are intended to transport air defense systems, such as the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), and support resupply and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Overland AI's autonomy stack has previously been used on platforms including General Dynamics' S-MET, Textron's Ripsaw M5, and by DARPA and Army units. CEO Byron Boots cited high demand from operational units and noted that the technology has matured beyond experimentation, partly driven by lessons from the conflict in Ukraine. The vehicles are not theater-specific and can traverse diverse terrain, emphasizing removal of operators from dangerous proximity to threats.
Marine Corps TimesUSMC Awards First $20 Million Contract for Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a landmark $20 million production contract to Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, the first such production agreement for ground autonomy with the U.S. military. The vehicles will support ground-based air defense against hostile drones and low-flying aircraft, capable of transporting air defense systems with reduced human oversight. Overland AI CEO Byron Boots confirmed the company will deliver about a dozen vehicles in approximately nine months. Potential uses include resupply, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and integration into the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). The vehicles are not theater-specific but are designed for diverse terrain. Boots highlighted high demand from operational units and said the contract signals a shift from experimentation to production for autonomous military vehicles.
Marine Corps TimesUS Marine Corps Awards $20 Million Contract for First Fully Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The United States Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI, a Seattle-based company, for fully autonomous ground vehicles intended to support ground-based air defense systems. Announced on June 29, 2026, this is the first production agreement for a ground autonomy provider with the U.S. military. The vehicles, numbering about a dozen and to be delivered in roughly nine months, will transport air defense components, conduct resupply missions, and perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks. Overland AI CEO Byron Boots confirmed the vehicles can integrate with the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) but are not theater-specific and can operate across varied terrain. The contract was awarded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering under an Other Transaction Authority agreement. The deal marks a shift from experimentation to production, reflecting increased U.S. military demand for autonomous ground vehicle technology, influenced by lessons from the conflict in Ukraine.
Military TimesUS Marine Corps Awards $20 Million Contract for First Autonomous Ground Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles intended to support ground-based air defense against drones and low-flying aircraft. This is the first production agreement of its kind for a ground autonomy provider with the U.S. military. The Seattle-based company will deliver about a dozen vehicles within nine months, with potential integration into the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). Overland's autonomy technology already powers military vehicles for the Army and DARPA. CEO Byron Boots cited high demand from operational units and noted the vehicles are not theater-specific but capable of traversing diverse terrain. The contract was awarded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, marking a shift from experimentation to production.
Defense NewsUS Marine Corps awards $20 million contract for first autonomous ground vehicles
The US Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI for fully autonomous ground vehicles, marking the first such production agreement for ground autonomy with the US military. The Seattle-based company will deliver about a dozen vehicles in approximately nine months. The vehicles are intended to transport air defense systems, support resupply and intelligence missions, and potentially integrate with the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). Overland CEO Byron Boots noted high demand from operational units, citing the utility of uncrewed ground vehicles in conflicts like Ukraine. The contract was awarded through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering under an Other Transaction Authority agreement.
C4ISRNetUS Marine Corps awards $20 million contract to Overland AI for first autonomous ground vehicles
The US Marine Corps has awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI, a Seattle-based company, to deliver fully autonomous ground vehicles for air defense missions. This is the first production contract of its kind for ground autonomy with the US military, moving beyond prototyping. The vehicles, likely based on Overland's ULTRA platform, will transport air defense systems deeper into combat zones with reduced human oversight. CEO Byron Boots stated that about a dozen vehicles will be delivered in approximately nine months, with potential integration into the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). The vehicles are not theater-specific and can traverse diverse terrain, supporting resupply and ISR missions. Overland's autonomy stack is already used by General Dynamics, the Army, DARPA, and others.
Defense NewsU.S. Marine Corps Awards $20M Contract to Overland AI for Autonomous Drone-Hunting Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command awarded Seattle-based Overland AI a $19.7 million contract to supply unmanned ground vehicles and OverWatch/OverDrive software. The vehicles will support the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), the Corps' primary mobile air defense capability designed to counter cheap drones. The contract, a sole-source agreement, requires delivery by October 2027. Overland AI's technology, developed from DARPA's RACER program, enables GPS-denied off-road autonomy. While the specific platform (likely the ULTRA) is unconfirmed, the vehicles will integrate as a sensor and force protection layer for MADIS, which pairs JLTVs with cannons, Stinger missiles, jammers, and radar to detect and destroy drones.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsU.S. Marine Corps Awards Overland AI $20 Million Contract for Autonomous Drone-Hunting Vehicles
The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded Seattle-based Overland AI a sole-source contract valued at $19.7 million to supply unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) along with OverWatch and OverDrive autonomy software. The UGVs will support the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), the Corps' primary mobile air defense system designed to counter drones and low-flying aircraft. MADIS uses a two-vehicle pair (Mk1 with cannon and Stinger missiles, Mk2 with radar and electronic warfare) to detect, jam, and destroy aerial threats. The Overland AI contract adds autonomous ground vehicles as an additional sensor and force protection layer. The OverDrive software, developed from DARPA's RACER program, enables off-road navigation without GPS or pre-mapped routes. Deliveries are required by October 27, 2027, with work in Seattle. The contract follows the full-rate production debut of MADIS in September 2025 and its fielding with the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment on Okinawa in June 2026 as part of the Force Design modernization focused on China.
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