Japan orders three Unmanned Ground Vehicles from Rheinmetall

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News April 9, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has signed a “multi-million dollar” contract with Rheinmetall to produce its first fleet of three autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The delivery of the first fleet of UGVs is expected in early 2025.

Under the latest contract, Rheinmetall, in partnership with a Japanese company Marubeni Aerospace, will supply compact and low-profile electric-powered autonomous vehicles to the Japanese Defense Ministry. Additionally, the agreement encompasses a comprehensive support and training program along with provisions for spare parts.

According to a statement released by Rheinmetall, each vehicle will be equipped with various payload modules, such as cargo, surveillance, and a remote-controlled weapon station. Additionally, it will utilize the AI-powered Rheinmetall PATH navigation system for operation.

The Mission Master SP is designed to be towed, deployed by parachute, and equipped with tracks for improved mobility in challenging terrains like snow and mud. The potential missions for the vehicle include “forward and last mile resupply missions, silent watch operations, and transport of light payloads, including section sensors and weapon systems.”

Mission Master SP

Initially developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2017, the Mission Master SP holds the distinction of being the first UGV created by Rheinmetall. It has been actively utilized in numerous live military exercises by land forces, including those of Germany, the U.S., the Royal Dutch, and Poland. Additionally, several NATO allies like the UK and the U.S. have also procured the UGV for their military operations.

In June 2023, a Mission Master participated in a significant two-day trial alongside other large UGVs at the Estonian Military Academy. The purpose was to assess technological capabilities and generate a confidential report detailing the findings of the event.

*^{Mission Master Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) family. (Image Credit: Rheinmetall)}*

Following the events, Rheinmetall was awarded a contract by the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment. This came after the company participated in Arctic mobility trials in Finland, during which the autonomy and mobility of the Mission Master XT were thoroughly tested. Additionally, in August of 2023, the U.S. Marine Corps conducted trials involving Mission Master SP UGVs as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 in Australia.

The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP represents a fully electric, compact Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) designed for autonomous execution of missions like forward and last-mile resupply, silent surveillance operations, and transportation of lightweight payloads such as section sensors and weapon systems.

Similar to other platforms within the Rheinmetall Mission Master lineup, the SP vehicle relies on Rheinmetall PATH: an AI-driven navigation system adaptable to various vehicles. This versatile suite comprises advanced sensors and perception algorithms, empowering Mission Master vehicles to autonomously traverse complex terrains.

Pietro Mazzei, President and CEO at Rheinmetall Canada, notes, “As global tensions escalate, many nations are turning to autonomous solutions to maintain their competitive edge and prepare for modern battlegrounds. Our Mission Master vehicles, equipped with the PATH A-kit, have demonstrated exceptional performance in numerous international trials in recent years. These trials have allowed us to refine our technology and establish ourselves as a globally recognized hub of excellence for UGVs.”