Neya Systems to provide N-Drive autonomy technology
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2026) – Hendrick Technical Solutions, through its NOMAD™ unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) project, is one of six vendors that have been selected by the U.S. Army to participate in the Infantry Last Tactical Mile (ILTM) initiative to help modernize infantry support for Soldiers on the battlefield. Vendors will provide advanced robotic systems designed for beyond-line-of-sight autonomous control, directly enhancing the Army’s ability to conduct multi-domain operations.
For the initiative, Hendrick Technical Solutions has selected autonomy partner Neya Systems, which will enable NOMAD™ to execute complex sustainment and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) missions. The primary goal is to support Soldiers within increasingly contested environments through the development and evaluation of advanced UGV technologies.
“We selected Neya because they share our philosophy of rapidly delivering innovative technology to the warfighter in a scalable manner,” said Scott Lampe, president of Hendrick Technical Solutions. “Combining Neya’s established capabilities with NOMAD™ creates new opportunities for the platform and allows it to operate more efficiently and safely as we continue to optimize it for the changing demands of the modern battlefield.”
Persistent enemy surveillance and the growing speed and precision of lethal effects have made the last tactical mile increasingly dangerous. Through the ILTM initiative, Hendrick Technical Solutions and Neya will support the U.S. Army’s efforts to reduce Soldier exposure while maintaining the speed and effectiveness of battlefield resupply and casualty evacuation.
“Together with Hendrick Technical Solutions, we’re helping to extend the reach and resilience of infantry units by reducing the risk to Soldiers in contested environments,” said Kurt Bruck, vice president of Neya Systems. “By combining our autonomy with their proven NOMAD™ platform, we’re enabling these systems to operate where they’re needed most, delivering the critical support warfighters need.”
The Hendrick Technical Solutions NOMAD™ is uniquely positioned for the ILTM initiative as a compact, scalable UGV built on proven commercial technology. With a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds and a range of up to 65 miles, it offers five key advantages:
- Highly Transportable: NOMAD™ preserves valuable cargo space through its compact footprint, enabling it to be easily transported by the UH-60 Black Hawk or a variety of commercial SUVs.
- Commercial and Scalable: Readily available commercial components and proven manufacturing methods enable rapid production at a mission-relevant scale.
- Rugged and Soldier-Centric: Designed from the ground up as a UGV, NOMAD™ has evolved through hands-on Soldier feedback in operational environments.
- Expeditionary Strength: NOMAD™ features an extended-range hybrid system that allows for battery-only operation and a reduced acoustic signature when tactical silence is required.
- Autonomous Technology: With Neya Systems, NOMAD™ delivers flexible, reliable off-road autonomy through N-Drive™, which offers high-level autonomous behaviors and advanced perception capabilities such as vegetation and dust filtering and negative-obstacle detection.
Autonomous assets will be coordinated through Neya’s multi-asset Mission Planning and Management System (MPMS) to support sustainment and CASEVAC operations, while FOCUS-ATAK will support intuitive 1:1 command and control with its seamless connection to TAK ecosystems. To ensure safety and effective deployment, Neya’s Virtual Integration and Simulation Environment (VISE®) will support comprehensive software validation, operator training and mission rehearsal before assets enter the field.
“Giving our Soldiers a mission-ready capability is at the center of this effort,” said Rhegan Flanagan, director of government programs at Hendrick Technical Solutions. “By combining NOMAD™ with Neya’s autonomy kit, we will move faster, control costs and shorten the path from acquisition to field operation. The U.S. Army’s ILTM initiative is a tremendous opportunity for us to demonstrate how commercial innovation, mature autonomy and direct Soldier feedback can deliver a superior capability at the speed future warfare will demand.”
Hendrick Technical Solutions develops and manufactures advanced mobility and robotic systems for the U.S. military. The company also serves as a key subcontractor to GM Defense on the U.S. Army’s successful Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) program.
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ABOUT HENDRICK TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS:
Based in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Technical Solutions is the advanced engineering and defense innovation division of Hendrick Companies, leveraging motor sports-derived technology, rapid prototyping and precision manufacturing to deliver mission-ready solutions that enhance mobility, autonomy and operational effectiveness for government and military applications. Visit HendrickTech.com for more information.
ABOUT NEYA SYSTEMS:
Neya Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Research Associates, is committed to advancing the field of uncrewed systems through the development and integration of cutting-edge technologies and expertise in autonomy, computer vision, cybersecurity, simulation and general uncrewed systems development and deployment. To learn more about Neya Systems, visit neyarobotics.com.
MEDIA INFORMATION:
David Harris, Hendrick Technical Solutions
704-756-9301
dharris@hmsracing.com
Jennifer Brozak, Neya Systems
724-799-8078
jbrozak@ara.com
