Japan orders three Mission Master UGVs
The Mission Master SP has been purchased by several NATO countries. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Part of Rheinmetall’s Mission Master family, the Mission Master Silent Partner (SP) is an eight-wheeled UGV designed to fulfil various logistics and battlefield support roles. Since 2017, several countries, including the UK, Netherlands and an undisclosed Middle Eastern country, have made purchases for trials and development purposes.
Japan has placed a mulit-million-dollar order for three Mission Master SP UGvs from Rheinmetall Canada with systems to be delivered in partnership with Marubeni Aerospace and tested by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
The platforms will be expected to be delivered early 2025 and the contract has included a long-term support and training programme, as well as spare parts. It has been believed to be the first UGV of the standard to be evaluated by the force.
The Mission Master SP was the first UGV to be developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2017 and has since been deployed during multiple live military exercises by land forces, including the German, US, Dutch and Polish armies. Various NATO partners, such as the UK and the US have also acquired this UGV.
In June 2023, a Mission Master took part in a major two-day trial of large UGVs at the Estonian Military Academy to evaluate the technology capabilities and produce a report on the event’s findings which remains confidential.
In September of the same year, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment awarded Rheinmetall the contract months after the company took part in Artic mobility trials in Finland, where the autonomy and mobility of the Mission Master XT were put to the test. In August, the USMC trialled Mission Master SP UGVs during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 in Australia.
Like other platforms in the Rheinmetall Mission Master family, the SP vehicle is driven by Rheinmetall PATH, an AI-powered navigation system that can be installed on any vehicle. This agnostic suite of sensors and perception algorithms has been designed to enable the Mission Master vehicles to navigate autonomously through challenging environments.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Rheinmetall advances longer 155mm ordnance with 30% range increase]()
Rheinmetall advances longer 155mm ordnance with 30% range increase
Rheinmetall has begun initial firing trials of a new 155mm/60-calibre artillery ordnance that could deliver up to 30% greater range than its existing 155mm/52-calibre system, as production of the current gun expands across Germany and the UK.
-
![Boxer lands another order as contracts and opportunities build momentum]()
Boxer lands another order as contracts and opportunities build momentum
As Germany prepares its €25 billion order under the Arminius framework – the biggest Boxer procurement to date – the platform could become an increasingly powerful contender in European competitions.
-
![British Army Land Rover replacement plan inches forward]()
British Army Land Rover replacement plan inches forward
The UK Ministry of Defence has proposed a selection date of May 2027 for the Land Rover replacement requirement, with deliveries expected through to 2036. Next month’s DVD exhibition will be a key shop window for bidders.
-
![Snow patrol and access all areas: the Arctic all-terrain vehicles market grows]()
Snow patrol and access all areas: the Arctic all-terrain vehicles market grows
The procurement and planned procurement of articulated tracked all-terrain vehicles is being driven by a need to replace older platforms and an acknowledgement of a capability gap for Arctic regions.
