At the end of September 2018, and for the first time, Rheinmetall took part in ELROB (European Land Robot Trial) with its unmanned multi-mission “Mission Master” vehicle. At Europe’s largest exhibition for military ground robotics, Rheinmetall’s Mission Master team entered the fray, taking on a number of competing teams.

Rheinmetall Canada Mission Master UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Picture source Rheinmetall)

Extremely versatile, the Mission Master base platform is able to perform multiple missions using a variety of modular, easy-to-install payloads. The scope of tasks includes logistic transport, surveillance, protection, medical evacuation, fire suppression, CBRN detection, and communication relay. With its high-speed capabilities, scalable autonomy, and the proven power to cross over any type of terrain, the Mission Master is a strong ally for dismounted soldiers.

Made by Rheinmetall Canada, the cargo version of “Mission Master” UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle turned in a particularly compelling performance in the “Mule” category.

In all, six teams took part in this competition category. Mules are essentially automated pack animals – autonomous transport vehicles capable of carrying heavy loads and equipment. They had to handle two scenarios. The teams each had thirty minutes to cover a 1,400 mlong route with their mule. During the first run, Rheinmetall impressed the crowd with an impressive performance. Then, following the second, came the gratifying result; despite competing for the first time, the Rheinmetall Mission Master clearly dominated the contest, scoring 3,151 points, twice as many as the robotic vehicle that took second place (1,547 points), and way ahead of the one that came in third (167 points).

The cargo version of the Mission Master was exhibited to a large group of defence specialists for the first time at Eurosatory 2018. Rheinmetall developed this variant to reduce the combat load carried by troops in the field, contributing to faster movement and greater operational efficiency. Rheinmetall’s new robotic vehicle can operate in hazardous, difficult-to-reach terrain, in turn contributing to the survivability and protection of troops deployed in harm’s way.

Moreover, the Mission Master can be networked with advanced soldier systems such as Future Soldier – Expanded System, Gladius 2.0 or Argus. In Rheinmetall’s “System Infanterie”, the Mission Master serves as a force multiplier for infantry sections or squads equipped with Rheinmetall’s Future Soldier – Expanded System technology. Fully networked with dismounted combat troops, it not only takes a weight not only off the soldiers’ shoulders, it also relieves the pressure on military leaders.