L3Harris’ autonomous recon vehicle enhances military mobility and flexibility

US firm L3Harris has developed a versatile autonomous surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle that is reconfigurable, highly mobile, and rapidly scalable.

The Aerospace and defense technology innovator has named the vehicle Diamondback, and it was unveiled at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting this week.

According to the firm, Diamondback was developed to enhance current robotic vehicle classes and fulfill roles and cost profiles linked to manned vehicles.

L3Harris is also collaborating with Overland AI, a company specializing in autonomous ground mobility, to integrate its off-road and cross-country vehicle navigation technology into Diamondback’s mission systems.

“We are expanding our platform and mission system autonomy capabilities, from air and sea, to support robotic vehicles making first contact with threats in land environments,” said Ed Zoiss, president of Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris, in a statement.

Enhancing autonomy

On the modern battlefield, the demand for autonomy and adaptability is critical for maintaining a tactical edge. In response to this need, L3Harris has introduced Diamondback, an autonomous reconnaissance and security system that can be swiftly reconfigured to suit a variety of mission requirements.

The firm claims the system offers a technologically advanced solution that effectively addresses the complexities of contemporary threats, positioning it as an economically viable alternative to traditional manned vehicle systems.

Diamondback is designed to enhance a mixed fleet of autonomous vehicles, complementing existing military specifications and capabilities. Its advanced mobility, autonomy stack, and modular payload suites enable it to conduct “first contact” operations in diverse environments, significantly reducing risks to personnel.

According to L3Harris, this feature is particularly vital as armed forces face an evolving landscape of threat systems that challenge conventional reconnaissance and security measures.

“Diamondback’s open development approach improves the ability to ramp up production, reduces costs, increases maintainability and accelerates the speed of technology insertions that support adaptation for evolving missions,” said the firm, in a statement .

Advanced reconnaissance

The Diamondback system offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities tailored for modern military operations. It features advanced surveillance options, including optics and RF collection, to enhance situational awareness.

The deployable configurations ensure that it can be adapted to a variety of mission profiles, while robust communications systems facilitate seamless information sharing and coordination among units. Additionally, Diamondback is equipped with protection package options that safeguard both the platform and its operators.

The model showcased incorporates a targeting optic, wideband RF collection, a multi- drone system, and both high-capacity line-of-sight (HCLOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communication capabilities, along with advanced positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT) features.

According to the firm, this combination of functionalities positions it as a versatile and effective solution for enhancing operational readiness and effectiveness in complex environments.

L3Harris claims Diamondback offers several key benefits that make it an ideal choice for modern military operations. Its rapid scalability allows for quick economic expansion, leveraging commercial production capabilities to effectively meet immediate demands.

The system features a modular design based on a Modular and Open System Approach (MOSA), enabling swift reconfiguration to adapt to various mission requirements. Additionally, Diamondback is cost-efficient, utilizing commercial components to enhance maintainability while keeping pace with evolving technological advancements.

Its high mobility is achieved through a high-speed, off-road platform, ensuring superior performance across diverse terrains. Furthermore, the vehicle and its mission systems are engineered for autonomous operation, which minimizes the need for direct control and significantly enhances mission efficiency.