Kratos Defense to deploy self-driving Class 8 trailers in Ohio, Indiana

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions will be deploying self-driving Class 8 tractor/trailers in a Leader Follower Platoon hauling customer freight shipments along revenue generating routes in Ohio and Indiana. The Kratos Unmanned Systems Division is under contract to deploy its self-driving platooning technology later this year between Ohio and Indiana along a major trucking corridor. Teamed with EASE Logistics, the Leader Follower Platoon will be a first-of-its kind deployment to address driver shortage impacts by enabling business continuity when qualified drivers are unavailable. The leader and follower trucks were provided by EASE Logistics who will also provide a highly qualified driver for the leader truck and a Safety Rider onboard the self-driving follower truck who can take over manual driving control at any time. The trucks were retrofitted by Kratos with self-driving technology to enable the Leader Follower Platooning operation. The system will be integrated as part of normal 24/7 supply chain activity hauling freight in 53-foot dry van trailers on short-haul routes for round-trip totals of 450 to 500 miles.