New Extreme Terrain Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle

The latest member of the Rheinmetall Mission Master family is the new Mission Master XT Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV), which features a diesel engine and is designed to operate in extreme terrains By DA Staff / 07 Jul 2021
Follow DA

Rheinmetall has released the Mission Master XT, the latest member of its Mission Master family of Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs). 

Developed by Rheinmetall Canada, the diesel-powered Rheinmetall Mission Master XT is highly mobile even in tough terrain, such as ice and snow, as well as sandy, rocky and mountainous topography. Its advanced amphibious capabilities allow it to float and swim while maintaining its full payload capacity. 

Weighing 2217 kg, the A-UGV can carry a 1000 kg payload in all scenarios, allowing troops to transport special equipment to hard-to-reach locations. 

The diesel-powered engine allows it to travel 750 km without refuelling, while lithium-ion batteries enable up to 6 hours of silent watch operations.

With a continuous tire inflation system, tire pressure is adjusted as needed based on the terrain. Featuring high endurance and survivability, the A-UGV keeps moving even with 2 cm-holes in the tires.

It is driven by Rheinmetall PATH, an autonomy kit (A-kit) that enables a wide range of autonomous driving and navigation capabilities.

The Mission Master family is fully compatible with NATO-standard battle management systems and can be controlled through a variety of teleoperation options. 

“The most multifunctional of these is a smart tablet developed by Rheinmetall, which allows the operator to control any Mission Master platform and payload through a single interface, a first for the market,” explains Alain Tremblay, Vice-President of Business Development and Innovation at Rheinmetall Canada. 

“For instance, users can monitor camera feeds or direct a weapon station, then quickly program the platform to navigate itself autonomously to a desired location, all from the same device.” 

If necessary the Mission Master XT can operate in manned configuration, with an integrated joystick and emergency seat.

Thanks to its modularity, the Mission Master XT can take on multiple missions in any situation, including logistic transport, surveillance, fire support, rescue, medical evacuation, CBRN detection, communication relay and other client-specific requirements. 

The Mission Master XT features a unique NATO standard battle management system (BMS) integrated into every platform, allowing each system to process large amounts of tactical data, so the Mission Master XT can share and exchange information from its vehicle and module sensors to improve the team’s common operating picture. 

The BMS also uses information in the network from other contributors to improve its own situational awareness regarding terrain as well as the location of friendly and enemy forces. 

The Mission Master XT will also benefit from the systematic integration of new artificial intelligence applications.

To make room for the newcomers in the Mission Master family, the existing Mission Master platform now becomes the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP, named for its role as ‘silent partner’. 

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact