Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme
It is believed that three companies did not make the downselect but a dark horse in Spain’s Iturri is believed to have got through.
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
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme]()
-
![Air defence offerings multiply in anticipation of emerging requirements]()
Air defence offerings multiply in anticipation of emerging requirements
Air defence and counter-drone weapons continue to be developed, tested and demonstrated in anticipation of growing demand, with most solutions designed to be platform-agnostic and readily integrated onto suitable platforms.
-
![September land forces roundup: DVD 2026 puts British Army requirements in the spotlight]()
September land forces roundup: DVD 2026 puts British Army requirements in the spotlight
The US Army began its search for a 155mm tracked mobile tactical cannon in an effort that Shephard forecasts could be worth billions of dollars. Meanwhile, the UK DVD exhibition saw companies showcase their offerings for the British Army’s mobility and air defence requirements.
-
![BAE Systems looks beyond the M113 replacement as it tests 30mm AMPV]()
BAE Systems looks beyond the M113 replacement as it tests 30mm AMPV
The development demonstrates how the platform could provide additional firepower and growth potential while the US Army progresses its long-term replacement for the Bradley.
-
![FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands]()
FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands
FNSS and PT Pindad are progressing the Indonesian tracked armoured personnel carrier programme as local production gets under way.
-
![Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options]()
Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options
Firing trials of the Tulpar and Leonardo Hitfact Mk II combination follow an integration programme covering mechanical, electrical, electronic and software interfaces.
