Guard's 181st showcases AI integration to boost mass fire

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz. — In a groundbreaking event on April 24, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, in collaboration with the DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center and the Tennessee National Guard's 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment, based in Chattanooga, showcased the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) in a live-fire demonstration launching three Reduced Range Practice Rockets (RRPR) in a successive ripple fire mission.

Over the two weeks leading up to the live fire event, the team successfully fired three RRPRs.The team also demonstrated the AML prototype’s mobility modes: teleoperations, waypoint navigation, and convoy operations. This exercise showcased the launcher's capability to move independently from a hidden position to a firing point, adjust its direction as instructed, and receive fire control commands from a remote gunner.

Led by the DEVCOM AvMC team, the event highlighted the collaboration between human operators and autonomous systems. Field Artillery Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard spearheaded all operations during the demonstration.

"The DEVCOM AvMC/GVSC AML team has succeeded in proving the possibility of using remote, autonomous technologies to deliver Long-Range Precision Fires," said Lucas Hunter, AML project manager for DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center. "This opens the possibility of increasing firepower without major force structure adjustments and without risk to our soldiers."

The demonstration of the integration of autonomous technology into a modified High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher marked a milestone for the AML, setting the stage for its participation in Valiant Shield '24.

“Our soldiers and the Tennessee National Guard are grateful for the opportunity to see the developments of the AML program and provide feedback to shape the future of long-range precision fires,” said Maj. Michael S. Lowry, 1-181st Field Artillery battalion executive officer. “To be able to follow the AML project over the past four years from inception to operating in a tactical environment is a unique experience for a National Guard HIMARS Battalion.

“Our launcher chiefs present for the operator’s training and live fire quickly envisioned how the AML could augment our current force structure and increase lethality and were eager to provide crew feedback,” Lowry continued. “The accomplishments of the DEVCOM AvMC AML engineers are truly remarkable in such a relatively short amount of time.”

The AML concept aligns closely with the Army Modernization Strategy setting the stage to deliver the Army of 2030, emphasizing the integration of robotics and autonomy to enhance lethality. The autonomous, unmanned, highly mobile launcher, transportable via C-130 aircraft, promises to amplify firepower with additional launcher platforms and triple the magazine depth, potentially without increase in personnel.