Autonomous barge kits improve logistical capabilities for joint forces

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center mounted the Scalable Autonomous Modular Propulsion kits for coastal and riverine Operational Logistics, or SAMPOL, to a WWII barge provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District to demonstrate the kits installation and capabilities, Aug. 28, 2025. The SAMPOL platform, is an autonomous, or self-driving, system designed to be mounted on a barge to allow the vessel to operate virtually unaided while assisting with military logistics and wet gap crossings. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Jared Eastman)