Armed Variant for Evaluation in RPV Spiral 2

Britain has ordered four more Mission Master UGVs under the Army’s Robotic Platoon Vehicle (RPV) Spiral 2, Rheinmetall announced on 19 May.

The UGV has already participated in RPV Spiral 1 with four vehicles and associated cargo modules last spring, testing how unmanned vehicles can boost the firepower and capabilities of dismounted combat troops at platoon level. The new order covers vehicles equipped with a fire support module, to explore potential future capabilities. The order will be delivered by Rheinmetall Canada between May and August this year, and will include training and support activities as well as spare parts. Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land will also support the project.

The Rheinmetall PATH autonomy kit lies at the heart of Mission Master’s innovative features. It comprises a suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms that assure rich situational awareness, enabling the vehicle to find the safest route, navigate challenging terrain safely and complete its mission successfully, without collisions. Featuring a built-in security circuit board, a tablet computer running Rheinmetall C2 software lets the operator steer the platform and control the weapon station in a safe wireless manner.

The Mission Master–Fire Support variant is armed with Rheinmetall’s Fieldranger Multi, a fully-stabilised remotely-controlled weapon station mounting a 7.62mm machinegun. The mount features a wide vertical and horizontal slewing range, thus assuring high accuracy and effectiveness, even at long ranges. Targets are never engaged autonomously: there is always a human in the loop.

Robotics disciplines are already changing the modern battlefield. Mission Master is a modular, autonomous UGV, designed to enhance operational effectiveness across a wide array of activities. With it, soldiers can count on artificial intelligence and robotic muscle when performing dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks and, more importantly, they can carry out their missions in greater safety.

Ready for deployment, the Mission Master can serve either as an autonomous or semiautonomous element of a combat team. Designed for maximum flexibility, it can be outfitted for a multitude of different operations, thanks to a modular architecture. Besides logistic tasks, it can perform in a variety of other roles, including surveillance, security, casualty evacuation, CBRN detection or mobile radio relay.