New RFI For Unmanned Ground Vehicles Released

Project Update

Welp. Usually, I don't do RFI posts unless it's something big like HDFM, IFM, etc.; however, I thought quite a lot of you would have interest in hearing about this one, especially with the Q&A having a UGV question this week!

We've actually had several RFIs over the last few weeks dedicated to UGVs; personally, I knew this one was coming. I knew there was a wider UGV RFI coming because the CAF is desperate to get UGVs, and MINERVA isn't moving fast enough.

There is also a recognition that UGVs are becoming, and will continue to be, a major node and support element in the modern battlespace. So, with the blessing to pursue UGVs, the CAF sets off for their first major procurement of UGVs.

In the last few weeks, we've seen numerous RFIs released for small batches of UGVs. We have seen RFIs for Mini-UGVs, Small-UGVs, Quadruped UGVs, and UGVs as part of CASEVAC. This is on top of these other RFIs, I am told; though, I should note that this will be an ongoing supply of UGVs.

You'll see what I mean in a second. I won't keep you here long; I know you want to see what's being asked. So let's cut the chatter and jump into things.

---

The Requirements

The RFI is designed to prepare for the awarding of several standing offers later this year for various UGVs. The formal Request for Proposals is slated for release sometime during Summer 2026, with the first system deliveries requested for 2027.

Of the UGVs requested, we can separate them into two separate categories: Small and Medium, and Wheeled and Tracked platforms. In basic terms, we're looking for four separate classes of UGVs to be procured. That is:

• Small Wheeled UGV (SW-UGV)

• Small Tracked UGV (ST-UGV)

• Medium Wheeled UGV (MW-UGV)

• Medium Tracked UGV (MT-UGV)

Cargo and Logistics Transport, as well as Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) operations within tactical environments, are the primary tasks these UGVs are expected to perform. The RFI does ask about whether platforms could be armed and utilized in a fire support role; however, it isn't a primary task.

Those of you following MINERVA will take note that the tasks listed here are very similar to the Tranche 1 UGVs that MINERVA sets to procure. I should note, this is NOT a MINERVA project as I know it; this is meant as an interim supplement until MINERVA starts delivering UGVs.

The Small UGV class is defined as having a vehicle weight up to approximately 410 kilograms without a cargo payload. The Medium UGV class covers vehicles weighing from approximately 410 kilograms to 1,700 kilograms without a cargo payload.

While these weight ranges serve as the baselines, the RFI does leave room for proposed systems falling outside these parameters. If the manufacturer clearly identifies the platform's exact weight and the rationale behind the higher rating, then they are allowed to submit platforms that fall outside this weight range; I don't see that being too big a concern for most.

The Small Wheeled UGV is tasked with supporting dismounted forces and light vehicle elements operating in close and complex terrain. Weighing up to 410 kilograms unladen, it is designed for short-range logistics resupply, CASEVAC, and general utility tasks.

The platform must be capable of transporting supplies, mission equipment, or casualty evacuation payloads while maintaining a compact footprint that enables easy deployment from light vehicles and simplified recovery.

While primarily designed for operations in urban and improved environments, it must retain the capability to operate effectively in off-road conditions, ensuring it is not restricted solely to paved surfaces. Furthermore, it must be suitable for operation in GPS-degraded and contested electromagnetic environments.

The Small Tracked UGV shares the same 410-kilogram maximum unladen weight but focuses on delivering enhanced mobility and stability in challenging terrain while maintaining a low logistical footprint.

It is similarly tasked with short-range dismounted support, logistics carriage, and CASEVAC. It must similarly also be capable of transporting combat loads, medical equipment, or a single litter casualty.

The tracked configuration is considered critical for enabling movement over mud, sand, snow, rubble, and uneven ground compared to its wheeled sister. It is intended to be deployable alongside infantry units with minimal support infrastructure and must be optimized for a low acoustic, thermal, and visual signature to maintain stealth and security in combat scenarios.

On the other side of things, the medium weight class scales up the proposed capabilities to support mounted combat units and logistics elements at the tactical level, with the RFI looking for both variants to have a desired weight between 410 and 1,700 kilograms without cargo.

The Medium Wheeled UGV is designed for long-range, sustained general-purpose support missions encompassing the same cargo transport, CASEVAC, and other utility tasks as above.

A lot of what is asked in the Small UGV is applicable here. The Wheeled UGV is optimized for road movement, extended ranges, and higher transit speeds; yet, it must concurrently possess the off-road capabilities demanded in the environments of the modern battlespace rather than being limited to on-road.

The payload capacity must be sufficient to transport multiple casualties, standardized military loads, or modular mission kits. It must also be capable of functioning in various forms of autonomy, including in convoy support, follow-me, and remote-controlled roles. It must also be fully deployable from medium and heavy tactical vehicles.

The Medium Tracked UGV looks to, again, similarly address operational environments that demand maximum cross-country mobility and physical robustness. Same mission requirements: long-range tactical logistics, CASEVAC, and mission support in austere or restrictive terrain.

I stress these requirements over and over again because some of you asked me after the HDFM and MCAV piece to list them out individually as it got kinda confusing. So I'm trying it here. Rest assured, though, all four UGVs want to do basically the same stuff. As above, its payload capacity must accommodate litter-based casualty evacuation, logistics resupply, or modular mission payloads.

All of the proposed UGV variants are again asked to operate in various modes of autonomy. In Manual or Remote Control Mode, the platform relies entirely on a human-in-the-loop, requiring continuous operator input for steering, braking, speed, and payload operation. This mode is specifically intended for navigating complex terrain, executing close-proximity operations, and managing dynamic casualty evacuations.

The Semi-Autonomous Mode places the human in or on the loop, allowing the UGV to autonomously execute discrete functions such as follow-me or convoy following, waypoint navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance, and speed and spacing management, all while remaining under operator supervision. The operator must retain the absolute ability to intervene, override, or transition back to full manual control at any given moment.

Finally on the Autonomy front, the Autonomous Mode operates with a human-on-the-loop, where the UGV executes pre-planned missions with limited operator input. Designed primarily for route-based logistics and support tasks, the operator's role shifts to supervisory oversight, providing mission re-tasking and abort authority. Systems utilizing this mode must strictly identify their safety constraints, autonomy boundaries, and any overarching regulatory considerations.

To further enhance mobility, the variants may optionally support reconfigurable mobility enhancements, such as auxiliary tracks or track-over-wheel solutions to improve off-road performance in restrictive terrain, provided these adaptations can be installed and removed at the unit level without permanent vehicle modification.

Operationally, the systems must perform effectively in both day and night conditions, successfully navigating degraded visibility environments like dust, smoke, fog, precipitation, snow, and low light.

They must integrate seamlessly with existing military command, control, and communications networks; and while not required, the RFI does ask suppliers if they can provide a single Ground Control Station capable of operating multiple UGV variants, and whether the terminal is compatible with entirely different types of UGVs.

---

Thoughts

Overall, the RFI sets out a decently credible pathway for the CAF to both acquire and experiment with various UGVs of multiple sizes. When combined with the existing RFIs also working in tandem, the general CAF( more so the Army) ahead of MINERVA, will be given a little taste of what is to offer across the UGV spectrum, from small mini-UGVs to Quadruped systems, up to Medium-sized platforms like the Mission Master SP, General Dynamics MUTT, or even the heavier Hanwha Arion-SMET.

The RFI provides some decent wiggle room on size and includes both tracked and wheeled options, which I am happy to see; it leaves the door open to build a decently-sized roster of potential suppliers to play around looking at multiple Standing Offers with suppliers.

It remains narrowly focused on specific tasks, like Logistics and CASEVAC, something I would argue is for the best right now. Better to downselect the key areas you want to experiment in before opening the door to all potential variants, equipment, and in the future, arming them.

You don't want to cast too wide a net and risk becoming entangled trying to be too experimental. Focusing on specific tasks helps to identify a good number of base suppliers and then work with them to improve and expand on a platform's capabilities.

Something, something, Agile procurement. Every time I mention Agile procurement, I get good boy points with Mr. Legassé. It is something, though, that should be looked at with procurements like this: how we can look beyond the traditional pathways of procurement to create working partnerships with industry.

Canada has already developed a well-developed, world-leading Autonomy industry here. Folks like Clearpath Robotics and Rheinmetall Canada have charged the way forward in these developments. Mission Master is a Canadian platform in my books, built off Canadian software through systems like the PATH-A Kit.

I have long argued that supporting this industry, and other Autonomous industries, is one area where Canada could make a large difference. We don't need to talk about being an Autonomy power; we already are one in my books. I will stand firm there and preach that to Heaven itself.

Even outside UAS and UUV, which we often speak of, we have so many great companies working on UGVs, or even USVs. Folks like Rheinmetall, General Dynamics, Clearpath, Tessellate Robotics, InDro Robotics, ICOR, Freaking SHERP and INKAS!, QinetiQ, Open Ocean, LeeWay, XOCEAN, Marine Thinking….

There are so, so many of them out there. We ain't building an industry from scratch here. The industry already exists; even if they never got the love they may have deserved, even if many don't know about their existence, they're out there. They're still waiting to be called upon. They're waiting for the Feds to step up.

This isn't gonna be a lifeline to anyone. It won't make an industry, but it is the first step to connecting the CAF more broadly to an industry who has been calling out to them, and the CAF to them. It isn't like the CAF doesn't want this kind of stuff.

The mandate, the funds, whatever it is just wasn't there. The DIS creates the mandate to better pursue this, including Autonomous Systems as a strategic industry being a major step in the right direction. It is still only one step in the process; it is still just one stage.

So while in the grand scale this might not seem big, and to some it might feel minuscule, I elect to be happy to see this; because it shows that we're at least trying, that we're trying to create a system that is supportive of both the CAF and supporting the Defence Industrial Base.

It won't shake the world, but it will give a door opening, I hope, to more support for Canada's Autonomy sector. It also gives the CAF a critical, modern capability I know many have been holding out hope for a long time to see.

I also hope highlighting this shows that we are being proactive in chasing emerging technologies, since many like to question drones and such. UGVs are just a step to the side of that, and these kinds of efforts, I feel, should be out there, discussed, and acknowledged that the CAF is not ignoring or is unmoving on things

All in all I am happy. I think this is a good step in the right direction, and I am excited to see what comes of it.