The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) in Fort Clinton, Ohio was treated to a successful live-fire capability demonstration by American Rheinmetall Vehicles and Rheinmetall Canada. The demonstration showcased the special capabilities of the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) in conjunction with the Fieldranger Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS).

Marines can conduct armed reconnaissance, sentry over watch, fire support, flank security, screening capability, and other remote operated operations with this armed version of the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP. American Rheinmetall Vehicles continues to provide the USMC with innovative A-UGV system developments, having completed multiple test and assessment events with the Mission Master SP. Early in 2023, it began delivering to the USMC, and in 2024, multiple follow-on orders for A-UGVs are being fulfilled. The platforms could significantly improve Marines’ fighting techniques.

Mission Master SPs furnished by American Rheinmetall Vehicles were also extensively tested by the USMC during the Talisman Sabre Exercise (TS23) in Queensland, Australia, in summer 2023 and as part of the Apollo Shield exercise at Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California, in fall 2023, both in support of Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) evaluations. The Mission Master SPs’ participation supported MCWL’s one year, crawl-walk-run, bilateral effort to test equipment capabilities and evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures of Infantry squads equipped with A-UGVs. Tasks the Mission Master SP A-UGVs took on during the exercises included casualty evacuations (CASEVAC), resupply missions, fully autonomous road marches reaching ranges up to 50 kilometers, and operating in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) environments. Feedback from the Marines and their Commanders drove A-UGV design modifications and solidified the benefits of A-UGVs among Marines.

The III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) placed an order with American Rheinmetall Vehicles in December 2023 to produce and provide six Mission Master SPs for additional training and assessment. The 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, who will be the first unit to carry out pre-deployment work-ups and deploy with the A-UGVs, will be supported by four Mission Master SPs.

“Bringing the capabilities of the Mission Master SP A-UGV to today‘s Marines gives me great pride in knowing that lives will be saved and Marines will be better prepared for battle,“ said Mike Brooks, Gunner (CW05) USMC Ret., and Director of Business Development for American Rheinmetall Vehicles.

“MCWL’s experimentation with state-of-the-art autonomous systems exemplifies our commitment to harnessing innovative technologies that enhance our tactical capabilities, ensuring our Marines are better equipped, more agile, and always a step ahead on the battlefield,” stated Maj Steven Atkinson, Robotics & Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Branch Head for the Science and Technology Division of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.

The Rheinmetall PATH autonomy kit (A-kit), a navigation system created by Rheinmetall Canada that permits completely autonomous movement and mission planning for vehicles, is used by each of Rheinmetall’s Mission Master SP A-UGVs. It may be quickly installed on current legacy cars or combined with the newest next-generation platforms. It is a fundamental component of Rheinmetall’s remarkable Mission Master line of autonomous cars. It combines cutting-edge sensors, industry-leading algorithms, and real-time data processing to enable vehicle platforms to move independently in a variety of operational conditions. Utilizing this vehicle family as well as numerous other platforms for testing and deployment, the PATH A-kit is a well-established and tested technology that distinguishes itself from competitors by offering a high level of autonomous mobility.

American Rheinmetall Vehicles is leveraging the PATH A-kit technology to supply program specific vehicle solutions for the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck program and XM30 program.