GM Defense Unveils Driverless Silverado-Based Vehicle for Military Logistics

GM Defense used the Association of the United States Army annual expo on October 12 to show off a new unmanned ground vehicle. This driverless concept is built using a Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD platform. It features an unmistakable front grille but has a stripped body designed without an occupied cab.

The vehicle uses a dual-rear-wheel skateboard architecture to support silent movement in the field. GM Defense states it relies on drive-by-wire technology and Scout AI’s Gx Ground Agent system for navigation. Unlike combat vehicles, this model is intended for quiet logistics runs and casualty evacuations.

General Motors expects to begin functional trials with the Silverado-based prototype in 2027. This timeline applies to the unmanned ground vehicle concept specifically. The company also highlighted a separate energy storage prototype called the EPIQ Hybrid at the same event.

The EPIQ Hybrid system is rated at 60 kilowatts and holds 100 kilowatt-hours of power. It pairs with an onboard generator to cut thermal and noise signatures in austere environments. GM Defense says this design was inspired by customer input regarding military needs.

The U.S. Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle requirement has grown from roughly 649 vehicles to nearly 12,000 units. To address the evolving demand, GM Defense created a five-passenger variant for mobile brigades. Seven early examples were delivered for unit-level assessment at no cost to the Army.

GM Defense originated during World War I and was re-established in 2017 after a brief sale of its defense business. The subsidiary describes its method as customer-first technology transfer rather than starting from a blank sheet. President Steve duMont stated the company carries GM’s engineering and manufacturing scale directly to service members.

Lockheed Martin signed a contract for missile housing components with an expected 22-day turnaround delivered in August. In the United Kingdom, the firm is proposing commercially based vehicles under the Team LionStrike banner for the Light Mobility Vehicle program. A heavy infantry vehicle variant is also reportedly being tested by the U.S. Army early next year.

GM Defense uses commercial technology adapted for military applications rather than starting designs from scratch. This method aims to provide advanced capability and rapid fielding for service members in the modern defense landscape. The subsidiary plans to continue delivering manufacturing support alongside its vehicle programs.