Four DARPA RACER autonomous ground vehicles hunted a target flagged in satellite imagery on Oct. 15, with one scouting ahead and two moving up in support before a simulated strike about 300 yards out. Every engagement required a human operator’s approval. U.S. European Command requested the test, and a second round with soldiers is planned for December.

Textron Systems launched CoreMotion, a control package that turns autonomy software commands into steering, braking and power functions on new or existing ground vehicles. It is already installed on the company’s RIPSAW family, and the pitch is fewer purpose-built robots for every autonomy upgrade.

New formations include a fires battery and watercraft company in I Corps, an armored reconnaissance company in III Corps, a breaching company in V Corps, and aerial reconnaissance and lift companies in XVIII Airborne Corps. Fort Rucker becomes the UAS Autonomy Center of Excellence, and an official said about one in five recent robot test missions ended in an emergency stop.