Application of Expedient Leader-Follower Technology to an Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Abstract

Autonomous ground resupply (AGR) possesses significant potential to address the growing military transportation gap and alter the future of combat sustainment. An Army Infantry Brigade Combat Team can organically transport only 58% of assigned assets. To address this shortfall, among other capability gaps, the U.S. Army Combat Capability Development Center began researching and testing Expedient Leader Follower (ExLF) AGR technology during Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 and will begin field testing within two Army transportation companies beginning in the fourth quarter of FY2019. ExLF technology provides the capability to conduct a three- to ten-vehicle convoy with one manned vehicle leading the ExLF vehicles in trace. Some key priorities outlined by U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command include (1) performing convoy operations autonomously and (2) assessing legacy equipment against ExLF equipped convoys. The ExLF technology must provide tangible results across these stated objectives in order to justify the investment across all ground forces, including the Marine Corps.