Ground drones for the US Department of War: American Rheinmetall and Harbinger develop new UGV

American Rheinmetall and Harbinger intend to jointly develop and deliver a new generation of robotic and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) for the US Department of War (DoW). To this end, the two have announced a strategic partnership. The aim is to create modern, scalable and cost-efficient ground drones and robotic systems that meet the DoW's modernisation requirements and can be made available quickly.

According to a recent press release, American Rheinmetall contributes its combat-proven expertise in vehicle integration, mission systems and modular vehicle architectures, while Harbinger brings its commercially developed, autonomy-ready hybrid platform. Together, they are to produce robotic solutions that can be used in combat as well as in logistics and support missions.

Both companies have agreed to pursue current and future DoW programmes in which commercially derived, hybrid-electric and fully “drive-by-wire”-capable platforms are to bring robotic capabilities to the troops quickly. As initial areas of cooperation, they name autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles, resupply solutions for contested areas of operations and new robotic platforms aligned with the US Army priorities in autonomy and “manned-unmanned teaming”.

Soldiers need robotic systems they can trust – and at a cost that allows procurement in the necessary quantities— Matthew Warnick, CEO of American Rheinmetall

Harbinger's ‘drive-by-wire’ hybrid platform is one of the most autonomy-ready commercial chassis ever developed in the US. Combined with American Rheinmetall's extensive experience in integrating mission systems for the Army, this creates a rapidly scalable, robust solution developed entirely in the US.— Matthew Warnick

According to the companies, the partnership directly targets the DoW priorities of lethality, cost efficiency and industrial readiness.

Hybrid drive for the ground drones

A scalable battery architecture and a range-extending hybrid drive form the basis of the Harbinger platform. Among other things, they are intended to enable “silent watch”, lower thermal and acoustic signatures and greater operational endurance. The basis is the company's existing electric chassis, supplemented by a petrol-powered range extender. This recharges the batteries during operations and thus allows longer missions even under difficult conditions.

Harbinger has always developed solutions for the toughest commercial duty cycles – but the demands of the modern battlefield exceed everything— John Harris, co-founder and CEO of Harbinger

Working with American Rheinmetall, one of the most capable integrators of military land systems for the DoW, enables us to offer an autonomy-ready platform at a price point that allows true scalable mass. Together, we can provide soldiers with robotic systems that are affordable enough to be available everywhere – and at the same time robust enough to perform their task reliably. Above all, however, the advanced autonomy and teleoperation capability makes it possible to keep soldiers out of the immediate danger zone.— John Harris

In addition, both partners highlight their strong industrial base in the US. American Rheinmetall operates manufacturing, integration and maintenance sites in Michigan; to support ongoing Army programmes, the company is currently expanding additional production capacity in Michigan, Ohio and Maine. Harbinger, for its part, develops and manufactures drives, battery systems and chassis entirely in its own plant at its headquarters in California.

The partners plan to demonstrate the new systems together for the first time as early as this summer. In the short term, they are also seeking prototype programmes via Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) as well as via conventional procurement programmes.