Live-Fire Demonstration: Mission Master SP with the U.S. Marine Corps

American Rheinmetall Vehicles from Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA and Rheinmetall Canada conducted a Live-Fire demonstration for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) at Fort Clinton, Ohio. During this demonstration, the outstanding capabilities of the autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle Rheinmetall Mission Master SP combined with the remote-controlled weapon station Fieldranger were showcased. This armed variant of the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP offers Marines various applications, including armed reconnaissance, security, fire support, flank security, shielding, and other capabilities. Following numerous tests and evaluations with the Mission Master SP, American Rheinmetall Vehicles continues to deliver outstanding developments in the field of autonomous, unmanned ground vehicles (A-UGVs) to the USMC. The first deliveries to the USMC took place in early 2023, and multiple A-UGV systems from follow-on contracts will be delivered in 2024. These platforms have the potential to significantly enhance the tactical capabilities of the Marines.

A Mission Master SP supplied by American Rheinmetall Vehicles was extensively tested by the USMC during the Talisman Sabre (TS23) exercise in Queensland, Australia in the summer of 2023. Another system was deployed during the Apollo Shield maneuver at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, California in the fall of 2023.

Both exercises aimed to support the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) evaluations. The participation of the Mission Master SP was part of the year-long MCWL project to test equipment and assess tactics, techniques, and procedures of infantry squads equipped with A-UGVs.

During the exercises, the Mission Master SP's tasks included casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), supply transport, fully autonomous road marches with a range of up to 50 kilometers, and engagement in military operations in urban terrain (MOUT). Feedback from Marine infantrymen and their commanders has led to adjustments in the design of A-UGVs, solidifying the positive impression of A-UGVs among Marine infantrymen.

In December 2023, American Rheinmetall Vehicles was awarded a contract to manufacture six Mission Master SPs, to be delivered to the III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) to support further training and evaluation. Four of the Mission Master SPs will be assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, the first unit to conduct A-UGV mission rehearsals and deployments.

"I am proud to provide today's Marines with the capabilities of the Mission Master SP A-UGV, knowing that lives will be saved and Marines will be better prepared for combat," said Mike Brooks, Gunner (CW05) USMC Ret. and Director of Business Development for American Rheinmetall Vehicles.

"The MCWL experiments with cutting-edge autonomous systems exemplify our efforts to leverage innovative technologies that enhance our tactical capabilities and ensure our Marines are better equipped, more agile, and one step ahead on the battlefield," said Major Steven Atkinson, Head of Robotics, Autonomy, and Artificial Intelligence at the MCWL Science and Technology Division.

Rheinmetall PATH Autonomy Kit: A next-generation platform-independent system that brings autonomous mobility to any vehicle

Every Rheinmetall Mission Master SP A-UGV uses the Rheinmetall PATH Autonomy Kit (A-Kit), a navigation system developed by Rheinmetall Canada that enables fully autonomous vehicle movement and mission planning. The system can be quickly installed on existing vehicles or integrated into next-generation platforms. The PATH A-Kit is a core component of Rheinmetall's exceptional Mission Master robotics vehicle family, combining advanced sensors, cutting-edge algorithms, and real-time data analysis to enable autonomous maneuvering in a wide range of operational environments. It is a mature, proven technology that stands out for its high level of autonomous mobility and has been tested in this vehicle family and a variety of other platforms.

American Rheinmetall Vehicles utilizes PATH A-Kit technology to deliver program-specific vehicle solutions for the Common Tactical Truck Program and the U.S. Army's XM30 program.

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