IDV selected for U.S. Army “Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability” Initiative
IDV, a Leonardo company, through its U.S. subsidiary IDV USA, announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive Office Mission Autonomy as one of four industry participants in the Army’s Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability (EABC) initiative. The EABC program is focused on developing autonomous systems designed to support battlefield forces in breaching complex obstacles and minefields under direct observation and fire, minimizing risk for human personnel.
IDV’s proposed solution leverages the company’s expertise in autonomous military ground systems and integrates several key technologies from its portfolio: the VIKING Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV) is equipped with ground autonomy software architecture, which enables rapid integration of mission systems and payloads together with navigation capabilities designed to support operation in contested and GNSS-degraded environments. Together, these technologies are intended to provide a flexible and scalable autonomy foundation capable of supporting future engineering and maneuvering missions.
Corey Kashner, CEO of IDV USA, commented: “We are honored to be selected by the U.S. Army for the EABC initiative. The EABC program aligns directly with IDV’s vision for autonomous systems and robotic maneuver support. By combining the proven VIKING UGV platform with our autonomy framework, we are delivering a solution designed to enhance mission effectiveness while reducing risks to soldiers. We look forward to supporting the Army’s modernization objectives.”
Following contract awards, the Army has indicated that the EABC initiative will progress through a series of demonstrations and operational assessments designed to evaluate autonomous breaching capabilities in relevant military environments, culminating in a unit assessment with soldier feedback to inform future decisions regarding next-generation autonomous engineer systems.
IDV continues to invest in advanced mobility, autonomy integration, and mission-enabling technologies that support the evolving needs of the U.S. military and allied defence forces worldwide. The company’s participation in EABC reflects its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance soldier survivability, mobility, and mission effectiveness across future operating environments.
