At the 2024 AUSA Expo, Anduril Industries unveiled its new Bolt-M drone, designed for the U.S. Marine Corps as part of the Force Design program. The Bolt-M is a “kamikaze” drone capable of conducting precision strikes with minimal operator input. The drone, part of Anduril’s Bolt family, is equipped with AI-powered software that allows it to find, track, and engage targets autonomously.
The Bolt-M is designed for both surveillance and combat, with a payload capacity of up to three pounds, allowing it to carry different types of munitions for various battlefield scenarios. It is controlled using Anduril’s Lattice platform, which reduces the need for specialized operators. The drone can be deployed in less than five minutes, fly for 40 minutes, and has a range of 12.5 miles (20 kilometers).
Introducing the Bolt family of man-packable Autonomous Air Vehicles ft. both ISR and munition variants.
Bolt-M equips ground forces with simple, lethal, and reliable precision firepower. It uses advanced autonomy software to enable operators to focus on four simple decisions:… pic.twitter.com/wngFr6ffxX
— Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) October 10, 2024
A key feature of the Bolt-M is its ability to operate even when communication with the operator is lost, using pre-programmed instructions. The drone can stalk targets from a safe distance and strike when the operator gives the command. This makes it a significant upgrade from drones currently used in conflicts like Ukraine, which require more operator involvement.
The U.S. Marine Corps will test the Bolt-M over the next six months to assess its capabilities.
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