Axios Exclusive: Overland AI debuts supply-shuttling and drone-launching Ultra vehicle

By Colin Demarest

Autonomy specialist Overland AI is now producing ground vehicles, dubbed Ultra, that are capable of schlepping supplies, amplifying communications and launching drones.

Why it matters: U.S. generals and admirals are calling for spilled oil — not blood — on first contact. This is the company's latest offering for that regime.

State of play: Chief executive Byron Boots told Axios "several" Ultras are already being tested by the military, and that his team is "looking to build dozens of them by the end of the year."

• "We've been working with off-road autonomous vehicles for a number of years now," he said, "and we feel like we really know how they work and how they operate."
• Its autonomy stack, OverDrive, has been used aboard the Textron Ripsaw, General Dynamics S-MET and Polaris RZR.

Zoom in: Ultra has been in development for over a year. It's the result of both Army funding and internal dollars.

• Boots described it as attritable — meaning it's cheap and reproducible enough to not cry about when it gets blown up.
• It can reach 35 mph, carry 1,000 pounds and cruise for 100 miles.
• It's also compatible with a range of command-and-control software, including the in-house OverWatch suite and Anduril Industries' Lattice.

Fun fact: Ultra works with Bullfrog, the autonomous gun turret made by Allen Control Systems.

Flashback: Overland in January raised $32 million.

• Backers included 8VC, Point72 Ventures and Overmatch Ventures.
• Joe Lonsdale, the managing partner at 8VC, told Axios at the time that Overland is postured to become "the next great defense prime."

What we're watching: If and how this moves the needle for troops in the field.

Go deeper: One-third of U.S. military could be robotic, Milley predicts