IVECO Defence Vehicles (IDV) has signed a three-year contract with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to develop and test operational concepts for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS). The initiative will explore how coordinated use of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) can support NATO’s future battlefield operations.
The programme focuses on integrating these systems within a shared, interoperable Command and Control (C2) architecture, distributed across designated network nodes. The goal is to demonstrate the practical utility of combined autonomous platforms in complex, real-world scenarios.
As the lead contractor, IDV will coordinate a consortium of NATO-based technology providers. In addition to its own VIKING UGV and optionally crewed Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV OU)—both adaptable for manual, remote, or autonomous control—IDV will collaborate with LEM, SIRALAB, and REBEL ALLIANCE. The partners will provide complementary technologies and contribute to a series of planned experiments with operational users.
Participating forces will include the Italian Army and other NATO military units. Field scenarios will cover a range of applications, such as autonomous resupply, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC and forward MEDEVAC), reconnaissance along lines of communication, and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The tests will also explore manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in convoy and recovery operations.
The programme aims to assess the impact of integrated RAS capabilities on operational effectiveness and survivability. Results are expected to inform doctrine development and contribute to a strategic roadmap for the introduction of RAS technologies into NATO service.
NSPA, headquartered in Luxembourg with operational centres in France, Hungary, and Italy, is NATO’s primary agency for multinational acquisition and support.