How laser weapons could transform the economics of European air defence (Podcast)
Former UK Defence Secretary Lord John Hutton examines how drones, missiles, laser weapons and procurement pressures are reshaping European air defence.
Rheinmetall and Escribano showcase new modules for the Mission Master SP A-UGV
Mission Master with Guardian 2.0 remote weapon station. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Spanish Army witnesses demonstrations of Mission Master with Escribano remote weapon station and EO sensor.
Rheinmetall Canada has demonstrated two new Rheinmetall Mission Master SP modules carrying sensors and weapons systems from Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E).
For Rheinmetall Canada, the demonstrations to the Spanish Army marked the first integration of an EM&E payload on Mission Master SP and its first collaboration with a Spanish company.
Demonstrations involved two Mission Master SP autonomous UGVs. A Mission Master SP – Fire Support was equipped with the Escribano Guardian 2.0 remote weapon station (RWS), and a Mission Master SP – Surveillance carried the mast-mounted Escribano OTEOS sensor package.
OTEOS enabled Mission Master SP – Surveillance to detect threat and automatically share its location with the Mission Master SP – Fire support, triggering a slew-to-cue.
‘Various Mission Master control modes were showcased, including follow-me, autonomous navigation, and convoy modes,’ Rheinmetall noted in a 10 August statement. Live firing with the Mission Master SP – Fire Support equipped with the Escribano Guardian 2.0 RWS in the Dillon Aero M134D configuration was conducted using UGV/RWS portable controllers integrated with a safety board architecture, allowing safe wireless firing.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that Mission Masters in various configurations can operate together as part of a so-called ‘Wolf Pack’. This envisages a single operator directing a group of Mission Masters to perform a wide range of missions, such as patrolling a zone, reconnaissance and engaging targets.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![How laser weapons could transform the economics of European air defence (Podcast)]()
-
![Singapore confirms fully automated SIGMA SPH as new precision-strike system emerges]()
Singapore confirms fully automated SIGMA SPH as new precision-strike system emerges
Singapore has confirmed plans to introduce a fully automated howitzer alongside an emerging precision-strike capability whose weapon type and deployment status have not been disclosed.
-
![The US DoD’s counter-drone marketplace begins to produce results]()
The US DoD’s counter-drone marketplace begins to produce results
The Pentagon's push to accelerate counter-drone procurement is opening new opportunities for defence companies as it seeks to bring emerging technologies into operational service more quickly.
-
![AUSA 2026: Hanwha receives howitzer top-up order to meet US Army’s fast delivery demand]()
AUSA 2026: Hanwha receives howitzer top-up order to meet US Army’s fast delivery demand
Less than two months after winning a contract from the US Army for six prototype K9 mobile howitzers, Hanwha Defense USA has received an order for another three. The company will show a platform at AUSA 2026.
-
![AUSA 2026 preview: Uncrewed systems and platforms to defend against them set to feature]()
AUSA 2026 preview: Uncrewed systems and platforms to defend against them set to feature
The Association of the US Army’s flagship conference and exhibition takes place in Washington, DC from 12 to 14 October. Shephard takes a look at what might be in store at the 2026 show, with uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems and platforms under the spotlight.
-
![“A survivable architecture”: why resilient communications are no longer a luxury]()
“A survivable architecture”: why resilient communications are no longer a luxury
In Conversation… Military communications must adapt to a rapidly evolving battlespace, characterised by decentralised forces and an increasingly contested electromagnetic spectrum. To survive and thrive, it is vital to prioritise resilient systems and networks, Faisal Munir, President – Mission-Critical Communications at L3Harris Technologies, told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
