U.S Defense Innovator AZAK Develops ‘Wheel As A Vehicle’ Concept For Next-Generation Unmanned Ground Systems

WASHINGTON : A U.S.-focused defense technology firm is advancing a radical rethink of military ground vehicle design, replacing the traditional chassis-and-drivetrain model with a concept that turns each wheel into a fully self-contained vehicle.

AZAK, a U.S.-based defense innovator, is developing what it describes as a “Wheel As A Vehicle” architecture for unmanned ground systems (UGS), embedding propulsion, power storage, control electronics, and autonomy directly into each wheel. The approach is designed to reduce mechanical complexity, simplify logistics, and accelerate deployment of adaptable robotic platforms for dispersed and expeditionary military operations.

Reversing The Logic Of Military Vehicle Design

Conventional military ground vehicles are built around a fixed platform, consisting of a frame, axles, driveshafts, steering mechanisms, and a centralized powertrain. AZAK’s concept deliberately inverts this design logic. Rather than designing a vehicle first and integrating mobility afterward, the company treats mobility itself as the foundational building block.

Under this model, the “vehicle” becomes mission-defined. A lightweight frame, cargo carrier, casualty evacuation litter, sensor platform, or weapon mount can be rapidly converted into a mobile system simply by attaching powered wheels. By eliminating axles, transmissions, and centralized engines or motors, AZAK proposes a modular mobility layer that enables faster fabrication and field adaptation.

This philosophy aligns with a broader shift in U.S. defense thinking, emphasizing distributed forces, unmanned logistics, and rapidly configurable systems capable of operating far from established supply infrastructure.

The S26 Wheel As A Self-Contained Propulsion Node

At the core of AZAK’s approach is the S26 Gen 1 wheel module, engineered as a complete propulsion and control unit. According to published specifications, the wheel measures approximately 26 inches in height and 8 inches in width, with a mass of about 86 pounds.

Each S26 module integrates an electric motor, motor controller, gearbox, proprietary control system, battery management system, and an onboard battery into a single sealed unit. The wheel is rated for continuous torque of roughly 147 pound-feet, with a sprint speed of approximately 12 miles per hour, prioritizing high-torque off-road mobility over conventional road speed.

Energy storage is distributed at the wheel level, with a battery capacity of around 1.27 kilowatt-hours per wheel. Depending on terrain, payload, and mission profile, AZAK cites operational ranges between 20 and 50 miles, with a recharge time of roughly 1.5 hours, supporting rapid redeployment in forward environments.

Designed For Harsh Military Conditions

AZAK emphasizes that the system is built specifically for military operating environments. The wheel modules are rated to IP67 standards, providing protection against dust ingress and temporary water immersion. Installation and replacement are designed to take only seconds per wheel, a feature that could significantly reduce maintenance time and improve battlefield repairability.

Control architectures support wireless, tethered, and autonomous operation, allowing the same mobility hardware to be used across remote-controlled logistics platforms, semi-autonomous convoy systems, and fully autonomous robotic vehicles. By standardizing propulsion at the wheel level, AZAK enables independent upgrades to software, autonomy, and payloads without redesigning the mobility system.

Stability, Traction, And Extreme Terrain Performance

A central technical claim of the wheel-centric design is enhanced stability across difficult terrain. Heavy components are deliberately positioned below the wheel’s center point, maintaining a consistently low center of gravity regardless of payload configuration. This design improves traction, rollover resistance, and controllability on steep slopes, rubble, and uneven ground.

Delivering torque directly at the contact patch enables improved obstacle-climbing capability and gradient negotiation. AZAK highlights the ability to surmount obstacles higher than the vehicle frame itself and to operate effectively on extreme inclines while carrying heavy loads, addressing a persistent limitation of many small unmanned ground vehicles.

Implications For Military Logistics And Expeditionary Warfare

If validated through operational testing, the “Wheel As A Vehicle” concept could significantly reshape military logistics and robotic support doctrine. Instead of deploying multiple specialized unmanned vehicles, units could transport sets of powered wheels and assemble mission-specific platforms using simple frames or locally fabricated structures.

For expeditionary and forward-deployed forces, this approach promises reduced logistical burden, improved adaptability, and faster mission reconfiguration. For military planners, it offers a pathway toward modular, scalable mobility aligned with the realities of modern, distributed warfare.

While AZAK’s system remains in the development and evaluation phase, its design underscores a growing willingness within the defense sector to challenge long-standing assumptions about vehicle architecture. As armed forces increasingly prioritize flexibility, resilience, and speed of deployment, modular wheel-based mobility concepts are likely to draw sustained attention from defense planners and acquisition authorities.