Rheinmetall Delivers First Extreme-Terrain UGV to Norway for Harsh Environments

Rheinmetall Delivers First Extreme-Terrain UGV to Norway for Harsh Environments

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall has delivered Norway’s first Rheinmetall Mission Master XT, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for extreme terrains and sub-zero temperatures. The contract was awarded by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment following a competitive bid that emphasized challenging mobility and scheduling demands. The Mission Master XT was recently tested in Arctic Mobility Trials in Finland, successfully navigating icy conditions and challenging terrain. Developed by Rheinmetall Canada, the UGV can carry heavy payloads, navigate autonomously using AI-powered technology, and handle various terrains, including ice, snow, sand, and rocky environments.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 2-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall has supplied Norway with its very first Rheinmetall Mission Master XT, an extreme-terrain unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) capable of thriving in sub-zero temperatures.

The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (the prime institution responsible for defence-related research and development in Norway) awarded Rheinmetall the contract after it won a competitive bid with challenging mobility and schedule requirements.

A tried-and-tested solution for Nordic countries

This contract comes just months after Rheinmetall took part in the Artic Mobility Trials in Finland, where the autonomy and mobility of the Rheinmetall Mission Master XT were put to the test. Despite a challenging environment and -30°C weather conditions, the vehicle successfully navigated through icy rivers and climbed up slippery banks.

“We are proud to have developed systems that can withstand some of the world’s harshest conditions. These recent trials have proven that we are in a strong position to meet the needs of Nordic countries that face similar challenges to us here in Canada,” stated Alain Tremblay, vice president for business development and innovation at Rheinmetall Canada.

Rheinmetall Mission Master XT, an extreme terrain UGV

Developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2021, the Rheinmetall Mission Master XT can tackle ice and snow, as well as sandy, rocky and mountainous topography. Its advanced amphibious capabilities allow it to float and swim while maintaining its full payload capacity. Weighing in at 2,217 kg, this powerful A-UGV can carry a 1000 kg payload, allowing troops to transport special equipment to hard-to-reach locations. The diesel-powered engine allows it to travel 750 km without refuelling, while internal batteries enable up to 6 hours of silent watch operations. Another key feature of the Rheinmetall Mission Master XT is its high-performance continuous tyre inflation system, which adjusts the tire pressure according to the terrain.

Like other platforms in the Rheinmetall Mission Master family, the XT vehicle is driven by Rheinmetall PATH, an AI-powered navigation system that can be installed on any vehicle. This agnostic suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms enables Mission Master vehicles to navigate autonomously through challenging environments, while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way.

The Rheinmetall Canada team took part in the Norwegian Army Technology Days 2023 on August 23 and 24, where it has delivered a presentation on “How to speed up the adoption of and trust towards UGVs”.

Media Contact:

Oliver Hoffmann
Head of Press and Public Relations
Phone: +49 211 473-4748
Fax: +49 211 473-4157

SOURCE: RHEINMETALL AG