Pratt & Miller's EMAV put through its paces at US Army RCV rodeo

Two examples of the Expeditionary Modular Autonomous Vehicle (EMAV) from Pratt & Miller have been assessed at the US Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Phase II Demonstration and Assessment Event, held at the Texas A&M RELLIS Campus in Bryan/College Station from 13–17 May.

First completed in January 2018, the EMAV is a tracked, autonomous vehicle that has been completely designed from the bottom up by Pratt & Miller, and is the most mobile of the company’s range of robotic platforms. The vehicle was originally created under contract to the US government to provide tactical infantry support at the platoon level.

The vehicle features a typical track configuration with a rubber track band and can reach speeds of up to 72 km/h. The vehicle’s curb weight of 3.08 tonnes and payload capacity of up to 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) will allow it to compete in two categories of the NGCV programme: RCV Light and RCV Medium. Pratt & Miller is also demonstrating its wheeled variant (TMT-V) in the RCV Light category.

The EMAV is claimed by Pratt & Miller to have excellent manoeuvrability characteristics, allowing it to traverse challenging terrain such as soft soil and navigate gradients of 60% as well as side slopes of 35%.

Power to the system is provided by a hybrid electric drivetrain that allows the EMAV to be operated in either electric-only silent watch and silent mobility modes. In addition, the unit can provide exportable power of 28V and 320V.

The flat deck on the EMAV is 3.84 m long and 1.5 m wide, allowing it to carry significant payloads, both weaponised and for crew support.