United States Army Pacific Soldiers assigned to the 8th Military Police Brigade conducted field patrols using the Multi-Utility Tactical Transport robotic vehicle during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) 26-01 exercise at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The event highlighted the Army’s ongoing experimentation with unmanned ground systems as part of broader modernization efforts across the Indo-Pacific region.
Soldiers operated the MUTT during patrol activities to assess how the platform improves mobility, sustainment and unit effectiveness in complex terrain. The system participated in a series of training events designed to evaluate its performance and integration with small units maneuvering through jungle and archipelagic environments.
The Army’s report notes that “the MUTT showcases its versatility as part of ongoing experimentation and capability assessments, enhancing how Soldiers operate in diverse environments.”
In this configuration, the unmanned ground vehicle was equipped with a Protector Remote Weapon Station and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, allowing Soldiers to test both armed and reconnaissance roles under realistic field conditions.
The MUTT has proved to be a rugged, reliable small-unit force multiplier that provides increased persistence and protection and projection of combat power for land forces. These qualities are central to the Army’s interest in adaptable robotic platforms that support dismounted troops across extended distances.
JPMRC 26-01 is the U.S. Army’s primary training event in the Pacific, bringing together American units, multinational partners and joint elements.
The Army uses JPMRC to test how emerging technologies and new operating concepts perform in the Indo-Pacific area, where geography presents challenges different from those found in continental environments. The inclusion of unmanned systems such as the MUTT reflects an emphasis on distributed operations, sustainment under contested conditions and improved soldier protection.
