Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV)
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Thales Australia and 3ME Technology have unveiled BladeHAUL, an extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle that adapts the chassis and mobility architecture of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle into a heavy-duty, hybrid-electric autonomous platform.
Manufactured using the Bushmaster production facilities in Bendigo along with 3ME Technology’s facilities in Newcastle, the platform combines sovereign vehicle production with local power, hybrid drive, and control systems engineering. The system is designed as a self-propelled, off-road extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV) to support autonomous operations and human-machine teaming in contested environments.
A central focus of the vehicle is heavy logistics transport. Under remote or autonomous control, the platform is engineered to transport standard 20-foot shipping containers and payloads weighing up to 10 tonnes, providing higher load capacity than existing or planned uncrewed ground platforms in Australia.
Jeff Connolly, CEO of Thales Australia and New Zealand, said, “BladeHAUL is a clear example of Australian innovation delivering Australian capability. By leveraging the trusted Bushmaster platform and integrating advanced autonomous and power systems developed locally, together we are delivering a highly capable uncrewed ground vehicle to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our Defence Force.”
In addition to primary freight transport, the hybrid-electric drive system serves as a high-capacity mobile energy supply. The platform can export electrical power remotely to support deployable command posts, field hospitals, and communications systems, or operate as a standalone tactical generator.
The chassis is also designed to host and operate a variety of modular sensor and effector packages. Operational configurations encompass surveillance and reconnaissance payloads, field support, Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), and littoral maritime strike missions.
Justin Bain, 3ME Technology CEO, stated, “Working with Thales Australia brings together the best of Australian innovation, combining 3ME Technology’s systems engineering and platform development capabilities with the Bushmaster’s proven performance and established manufacturing base. Together we are delivering an entirely new XL-UGV at a time when demand for contested logistics and remote power solutions for littoral environments is present and growing.
“BladeHAUL is an important milestone for 3ME Technology because it brings together our core capabilities across BladeVOLT®, BladeDRIVE® and BladeNET® into one platform. Together we can deliver sovereign power, traction and control systems that turn proven mobility platforms into adaptable, mission-ready autonomous capability.”
