DSEI 2025: Rheinmetall's Mission Master CXT Integrates Autonomy With Close-Range Air Protection.

During DSEI UK 2025, Rheinmetall has presented a system that brings together autonomous ground mobility and proven air defence technology, responding directly to the urgent lessons of current conflicts. The increasing threat posed by drones and low-flying aerial targets has underscored the need for compact, versatile and cost-effective solutions. The Mission Master CXT with Skyranger 762 positions itself as a force multiplier, combining unmanned ground operations with ultra-short range air defence. Its unveiling highlights both the growing importance of ground-based air defence and the trend toward unmanned platforms in modern warfare.
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The Mission Master CXT Skyranger 762 unveiled at DSEI 2025 illustrates how Rheinmetall is merging autonomy with established air defence expertise to address one of the most urgent challenges on the battlefield (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Mission Master CXT integrates Rheinmetall’s next-generation unmanned ground vehicle, capable of transporting up to one ton of payload across rough terrain and even water obstacles, with the Skyranger 762, a remote-controlled weapon station designed specifically for counter-drone operations. Armed with the 7.62x51 mm M134D Gatling gun, the system offers high-volume fire against drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft, while remaining compact and easily deployable. Enhanced with all-weather sensors and the Skymaster C2 suite, it ensures seamless interoperability with the wider Skyranger, Skynex, and Skyspotter family, allowing integration into multi-layered defence networks.

Rheinmetall’s Skyranger concept has been in development for years, with operational roots going back to the company’s heritage in mobile air defence and cannon-based systems. Variants using 35 mm and 30 mm revolver cannons, such as the Skyranger 30 and Skyranger 35, have already been selected by several European NATO countries, including Germany, Hungary and Denmark, providing a proven track record. The addition of the Mission Master CXT as a carrier platform builds on this lineage, offering mobility and autonomous functionality unmatched by conventional air defence vehicles. While the 35 mm Skyranger fills the gap against more resilient airborne threats, the Skyranger 762 responds to the exponential growth of small, inexpensive drones that have proven decisive in Ukraine and other recent conflicts.

Compared to similar counter-UAS solutions such as light vehicle-mounted remote weapon stations or man-portable systems, the Mission Master CXT with Skyranger 762 offers a blend of endurance, autonomy, and integration capability. It can be operated by a single soldier, reducing manpower demands, and its autonomous nature allows forward deployment in contested zones where manned vehicles would be at higher risk. Unlike traditional MANPADS or heavier gun systems, the Skyranger 762 is cheaper to operate, requires minimal training, and benefits from Rheinmetall’s modularity, enabling adaptation to future threats. This reflects the broader evolution of mobile air defence, moving from heavy gun systems like the Gepard of the 1970s, designed to counter aircraft and helicopters, toward today’s modular, networked and drone-focused architectures.

The strategic implications of the Mission Master CXT with Skyranger 762 are considerable. Militaries worldwide are shifting budgets toward counter-drone and air defence capabilities, as the threat spectrum expands from precision-guided munitions to mass drone swarms. By offering a scalable and autonomous solution, Rheinmetall positions itself to meet NATO and allied demand for flexible U-SHORAD platforms. This development also reinforces the European emphasis on layered air defence systems, ensuring resilience against both state and non-state actors employing drones in asymmetric tactics. From a geopolitical perspective, the system could appeal not only to European armed forces but also to regions facing drone saturation threats in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, where the balance between cost and effectiveness is decisive.

Financially, Rheinmetall’s Skyranger family has already secured contracts in Europe, notably with Germany and other NATO partners for the 30 mm and 35 mm variants. While the Skyranger 762 integrated on the Mission Master CXT has yet to be tied to a major procurement program, its modularity and affordability suggest it could soon complement existing contracts or attract export opportunities. With defence budgets rising across Europe and beyond due to the war in Ukraine and heightened geopolitical tensions, autonomous UGV-based air defence platforms stand a strong chance of entering service as cost-effective additions to existing layered defence architectures.

The Mission Master CXT Skyranger 762 unveiled at DSEI 2025 illustrates how Rheinmetall is merging autonomy with established air defence expertise to address one of the most urgent challenges on the battlefield. By combining unmanned mobility with a compact counter-drone solution, the system highlights the convergence of robotics, firepower and networked defence. Its potential adoption would not only enhance military flexibility but also reshape doctrines for close-range air defence in a world where drones have become a defining element of modern conflict.

Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.