Military infantrymen are exposed to nearly every type of environment during their various missions around the world. They must carry heavy loads of equipment through harsh desert sands, dense jungle brush, and up and down rolling hills and slopes.

These traversals can hinder the most well-trained warfighters, causing significant delays or even threatening the mission’s overall success. The days of using animal labor to carry heavy loads are behind us, but the folks over at HDT Global have developed the next best thing. You won’t find too many horses in the military, but there might be a WOLF lurking just over the horizon.

HDT’s Hunter WOLF

HDT’s Hunter Wheeled Offload Logistics Follower (WOLF) is a rugged 6x6 load-carrier designed to follow dismounted infantry through the harshest of environments. In development since 2012, the Hunter WOLF has participated in more than a dozen evaluations with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and Australian Defense Forces to test and refine its abilities by those who can benefit from them the most.

Infantry units can carry a lighter load thanks to the Hunter WOLF’s one-ton (2,200 pounds) carrying capacity. Even with that much weight, the Hunter WOLF can still navigate through narrow trails, up steep slopes, and through dense jungles for 200 miles using only its own internal fuel system. The vehicle’s dual diesel and electric hybrid powertrain provides both a silent drive and silent watch capability for those missions that require careful attention.

Designed to adhere to the Army’s Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) vehicle program’s top priorities, the Hunter WOLF was built to handle more than just carrying equipment. Some of the WOLF’s other capabilities include:

• Tactical mobility
• Water purification
• Medical procedures
• Power generation and management
• UAS and Counter UAS support
• Shelter
• Communication
• Weapons platform

Perhaps the most versatile aspect of the Hunter WOLF is its modular architecture and full compatibility with Robotic Operating System (ROS) protocols that make it possible to upgrade the system to perform multiple missions.

Support Modular Mission Payloads:

• Low ground pressure kit
• Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
• Autonomy kit with long-range fuel tanks
• CASEVAC

Combat Engineer Modular Mission Payloads

• MICLIC breaching kit
• Trail clearance flair
• Door breacher kit
• Lightweight expeditionary bridge
• Backhoe/loader

Weaponized Modular Mission Payloads:

• TOW missile
• 30mm RWS
• 120mm mortar carrier
• Pintle M2 and armor

HDT Hunter WOLF Key Features:

• Rugged design developed for demanding conditions
• Carries one ton off-road more than 200 miles
• 120 hours of operation without resupply
• Over 320 hours of operation with long-range fuel tanks
• Exports five kilowatts of power
• Full compatibility with Robotic Operating System (ROS)
• Series electric hybrid powertrain provides silent operation

HDT’s Hunter WOLF is a truly dynamic piece of equipment that will benefit any team that utilizes its many features. The next time you think your mission is stuck dead in the mud, know that the Hunter WOLF can help you navigate through the sludge.