GM Defense unveiled an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) based on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD at the AUSA 2026 Annual Meeting on October 12. The vehicle features drive-by-wire controls, a 100-kWh energy-storage system, and an 8,000-pound payload capacity. It is designed for logistics and casualty evacuation, utilizing the Scout AI Gx Ground Agent system for autonomy.
The company aims to have a technology demonstrator ready for Army evaluation by June 2027. The UGV was displayed with a LOCUST X3 laser weapon and a Squarehead Discovair G2+ sensor. This project reflects a broader strategy to adapt commercial truck platforms for military applications, similar to efforts by competitors like Ineos and Ford.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Army has significantly expanded its Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) program, increasing the planned fleet size from 649 to nearly 12,000 units. The current ISV is built on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture and is intended for use across 39 active-duty and National Guard mobile brigades.
Regarding the ISV-Heavy program, the Army awarded prototype agreements to GM Defense, Ford, and BC Customs in late June 2026. Each participant must deliver three prototypes by March 30, 2027. Following operational assessments, the Army plans to potentially procure approximately 606 units of the ISV-Heavy.
