Rheinmetall Awarded Third Experimentation Contract

For the third time, the UK MoD Robotic Platoon Vehicle (RPV) programme has elected to work with Rheinmetall, selecting the company’s Mission Master SP UGV for the third and final phase of the programme.

The British Army has ordered four Mission Master SP in an ISTAR configuration and three equipped for cargo tasks. In previous phases of the programme, eight vehicles had been procured. The new order, placed in January, will be completely delivered by August by Rheinmetall Canada as prime contractor, including training, support and spares.

The Mission Master SP – Surveillance comes equipped with an ISTAR payload. This module supports forward and last-mile resupply missions, conducts silent watch operations, and carries payloads. Built to optimize situational awareness, the ISTAR module’s array of sensors can be easily swapped, depending on mission objectives, providing target detection, recognition, and identification at long ranges, regardless of weather and lighting conditions. They also facilitate early warning and identification of chemical threats.

The ISTAR module is fitted on top of an improved version of the Mission Master SP vehicle. Operator feedback has been the main driver for improvements: for instance, the drivetrain and frame are more rugged and more accessible, to facilitate maintenance operations. In addition, the platform now includes a diesel generator that can be used on extended missions.

The Mission Master SP – Cargo reduces soldier burden, hence improving mobility and efficiency. The robust UGV can transport supplies, tactical kits, and medical equipment either independently, in follow-me mode, or in convoy mode with other Mission Master vehicles.

Now the owner of several Mission Master vehicles and modules, the British Army possesses a true force multiplier that can be harnessed for more complex experimentation, especially related to the Rheinmetall wolf pack (swarm) concept. This consists of a team of Mission Master vehicles working together to accomplish missions ranging from surveillance to target position transfer and slew-to-cue. The units communicate with each other, using their advanced AI capabilities to maintain rich situational awareness. The wolf pack is remotely managed by a single operator, who is thereby able to focus on successful mission outcome rather than on individual UGV tasks. This unique capability is enabled by Rheinmetall’s command and control software.

While the delivery of Spiral 3 will mark the end of the RPV Programme, Rheinmetall Canada intends to continue its involvement in the UK’s experimentation with robotic vehicles at the newly formed Expeditionary Robotic Centre of Expertise (ERCoE).