The U.S. Marine Corps is accelerating its push toward autonomous battlefield logistics by integrating a range of unmanned ground and aerial systems into tactical resupply operations. As part of Force Design 2030 and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concepts, these efforts aim to reduce risk to personnel while sustaining distributed forces across contested environments.
Autonomous Resupply as a Force Multiplier
Modern peer conflicts demand agile logistics capable of supporting small, dispersed units operating inside enemy weapons engagement zones (WEZ). The Marine Corps’ experimentation with unmanned resupply platforms—both ground-based and aerial—is designed to address this challenge by minimizing human exposure while maintaining tempo.
Central to this effort are Tactical Resupply Vehicles (TRVs), a family of autonomous or semi-autonomous platforms tailored for last-mile delivery of ammunition, food, water, batteries, and medical supplies. These systems are intended to operate with minimal operator input over rugged terrain or in GPS-denied environments.
“We’re not just experimenting—we’re operationalizing,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Newell (USMC Ret.), a key figure in Marine innovation circles. “Autonomy in logistics isn’t about replacing Marines; it’s about extending their reach.”
Ground-Based TRVs: From Concept to Field Trials
The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) has been actively testing several variants of Tactical Resupply Vehicle-Light (TRV-L), including commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms adapted for military use. Among them:
- Rheinmetall Mission Master SP: A four-wheeled UGV capable of carrying up to 600 kg with waypoint navigation and follow-me modes.
- Polaris MRZR Alpha with autonomy kit: A lightweight all-terrain vehicle retrofitted for robotic operation via Applied Research Associates’ autonomy stack.
- Textron Ripsaw M5 variant: A heavier tracked platform under consideration for high-threat or degraded environments.
Recent field evaluations at Twentynine Palms and Camp Lejeune have focused on interoperability with infantry squads during live-fire exercises. Marines assessed how TRVs could navigate complex terrain autonomously while delivering mission-critical payloads without compromising unit stealth or speed.
Aerial Resupply via Autonomous Cargo Drones
The USMC is also investing in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo drones capable of autonomous delivery missions over extended ranges—particularly valuable in archipelagic or mountainous theaters like the Indo-Pacific.
A leading candidate is the Kaman KARGO UAV, a quadrotor heavy-lift drone developed under a Naval Air Systems Command contract. Designed to carry up to 363 kg (800 lbs) over distances exceeding 800 km at speeds around 130 knots, the KARGO is optimized for point-to-point delivery without runways or launch infrastructure.
This capability aligns closely with EABO doctrine by enabling rapid sustainment of forward-deployed units from offshore logistics hubs or mobile sea bases. In recent demonstrations at Yuma Proving Ground and MCAS Miramar, the KARGO successfully delivered simulated supplies autonomously across varied terrain profiles.
Key Technical Challenges Remain
Despite promising results, several hurdles remain before full operational deployment of autonomous resupply systems:
- C2 Integration: Ensuring seamless command-and-control across manned-unmanned teams remains complex—especially under EW threat conditions.
- Navigational Autonomy: Operating reliably in GPS-denied or cluttered environments requires robust sensor fusion (LiDAR/EO-IR/IMU) and resilient autonomy stacks.
- Cargo Handling: Automated loading/unloading mechanisms must be ruggedized for field use without adding excessive weight or complexity.
The USMC’s ongoing collaboration with DARPA’s RACER program and Army’s Project Origin aims to accelerate solutions through cross-service technology sharing on autonomy frameworks and perception algorithms.
Tactical Implications for Distributed Operations
If matured successfully, unmanned resupply will significantly enhance the survivability and sustainability of distributed maritime operations envisioned under Force Design 2030. Key benefits include:
- Risk Reduction: Removing humans from high-threat logistics routes reduces casualties from ambushes or IEDs.
- Sustainment Agility: Small units can operate longer without fixed supply lines or large convoys that attract targeting.
- Cognitive Offload: Marines can focus on combat tasks rather than logistical burdens like hauling water or ammo across kilometers of terrain.
This shift also supports emerging concepts like Stand-In Forces (SIF), which rely on low-signature presence deep inside adversary A2/AD bubbles—where traditional supply chains are untenable without automation support.
The Road Ahead: From Experiments to Programs of Record
The Marine Corps’ next steps involve transitioning successful prototypes into Programs of Record through formal acquisition channels such as PEO Land Systems’ Ground-Based Logistics Systems portfolio. FY25 budget documents indicate increased funding for “Autonomous Tactical Resupply” initiatives under RDT&E line items.
An upcoming milestone will be the multi-domain exercise “Project Convergence Capstone Event” in early FY26 where joint services will test integrated autonomous logistics across air-ground-maritime domains using both TRVs and cargo drones in contested scenarios against simulated peer threats.
Conclusion
The U.S. Marine Corps’ investment in autonomous tactical resupply reflects a broader doctrinal shift toward distributed lethality supported by resilient logistics networks. While challenges remain—particularly around autonomy reliability under adversarial conditions—the trajectory is clear: future battlefields will see robots not just fighting alongside humans but keeping them supplied as well.
