US autonomous vehicle startup Forterra has deployed over 100 Lancer unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in Ukraine since 2025, completing more than 1,100 missions to date.
The Lancer UGVs are based on Polaris ATVs and operate autonomously in the field. Forterra's deployment represents one of the largest real-world uses of autonomous military vehicles in active conflict.
The vehicles complete supply runs, reconnaissance, and other logistics tasks typically handled by manned teams, reducing personnel exposure to combat zones. Each unit covers terrain that would otherwise require human operators.
The 1,100+ completed missions indicate sustained operational deployment rather than limited testing. The data provides rare real-world performance metrics for autonomous military systems in actual conflict conditions.
Forterra's success in Ukraine may influence Pentagon procurement decisions and accelerate adoption of autonomous platforms by other military forces. The company joins a growing sector of defense contractors developing unmanned systems for battlefield applications.
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