Unmanned systems working together: GDELS and Alpha Robotics seal MUM-T partnership at Eurosatory

Improving the interaction between manned and unmanned systems is the subject of a formal cooperation agreement signed at Eurosatory in Paris. The parties are General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), a European systems house, and Alpha Robotics, a technology company from Germany. Together they are pooling their know-how to develop integrated solutions for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

The aim is to provide solutions that are ready for use at short notice and build on proven products from both manufacturers.

Eagle 6×6 as control station for unmanned systems

At the trade fair, the two companies are already demonstrating first applications of their joint MUM-T solutions, including counter-drone operations on the move and the protection of forces and facilities. An Eagle 6×6 from the GDELS portfolio takes on the role of the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), i.e. a mobile control station. From there, several Wolf C1/G1 – unmanned vehicles from Alpha Robotics – as well as their Hawk and Hummingbird drones are controlled.

Depending on the mounted payload, these systems transport materiel, carry sensors and effectors or act as decoys. The VCU is equipped as a command system with several operator stations. As for the Eagle itself, high passive protection, unrivalled mobility, a low signature and optionally available counter-drone components are to ensure optimum survivability even in high-intensity situations – for the crew as well as for the equipment carried.

Vechta-based Alpha Robotics builds semi-autonomous unmanned robots for land and air that are used in firefighting, rescue and technical assistance, i.e. wherever situations become safety-critical. Wolf and Superwolf robots have already been deployed in many emergencies: in forest fires, in the major fire in the Port of Hamburg in 2025 and in Ukrainian cities after air strikes. Because users provide continuous feedback, the systems are aligned as closely as possible with practical requirements.

For Alpha Robotics CEO Oliver Rasche, the joint direction is clear:

Our companies pursue a common goal: to provide powerful support to men and women in uniform in their complex and dangerous missions while ensuring the greatest possible protection— Oliver Rasche, Alpha Robotics

In both areas, what matters is mobility and a comprehensive real-time situational picture that ensures command capability. Only in this way can the dynamics, complexity and speed of modern operational scenarios be mastered with the necessary clarity and responsiveness in the interaction of manned and unmanned systems.— Oliver Rasche, Alpha Robotics

Thomas Kauffmann, board member for sales at GDELS, explains the choice of partner as follows:

We deliberately took time to examine the unmanned systems market and its players thoroughly. In Alpha Robotics, we have found a partner with more than a decade of field-proven experience that derives its expertise from real-world scenarios which in many respects resemble military use cases. What was decisive for us was in particular the approach of thinking not in terms of individual platforms but of the networked interaction of all systems— Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS