Nahom M Beyene

The acquisition process for a new weapon system begins with development of technical requirements to ensure that the system produced provides the needed operational capability within budget and schedule constraints. Oversights during this process can result in cost or schedule overruns, unsuitable operational performance, or outright cancellation. This report describes a systems-based approach to help improve this process.

This report examines how the U.S. Army can move ahead with the development and integration of automated driving technology for its convoy operations in the near future. The authors examine the technical and tactical benefits and risks of different employment concepts of automated trucks in convoys that appear viable in the next one to five years. Robotic ground vehicles could potentially save lives and increase convoy efficiency.