Kodiak AI Inc. (NASDAQ: KDK) and General Dynamics Land Systems, part of General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD), announced a strategic collaboration to develop autonomous ground vehicles for defense applications.

The partnership combines Kodiak's AI-powered virtual driver technology with General Dynamics Land Systems' vehicle integration and ruggedized platform development capabilities. The companies plan to pursue U.S. Army and international opportunities to expand their joint vehicle portfolio.

The collaboration builds on the companies' first joint project, the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle, which was recently unveiled. The Leonidas AGV uses a modified commercial Ford F-600 truck equipped with Epirus' high-power microwave platform for counter-drone operations.

The companies selected the Ford truck platform in response to the Pentagon's commercial-first strategy, which aims to reduce acquisition costs and accelerate deployment timelines by adapting commercial systems rather than developing military-specific platforms.

Under the arrangement, Kodiak provides its Kodiak Driver technology, while General Dynamics Land Systems handles vehicle integration, power systems, communications and ruggedized platform development. The autonomous vehicles are designed for logistics resupply, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and maneuver operations.

"This collaboration directly meets the U.S. military's need for scalable, adaptable, and cost-effective autonomous ground vehicles operating forward in contested environments while reducing risk to service members," said Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak.

Keith Barclay, vice president and general manager of U.S. Operations at General Dynamics Land Systems, said the partnership focuses on delivering commercially inspired platforms that can be rapidly adapted for military use.

Mountain View, California-based Kodiak develops autonomous vehicle technology for trucking and defense applications. The company achieved what it describes as the first deployment of customer-owned and operated driverless trucks in commercial service in 2024.