Mission Master is a modular autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) designed and manufactured by Rheinmetall Canada.
The UGV can be used for reconnaissance and surveillance operations, mount and dismount forces and increase operational effectiveness. It can be fitted for tactical overwatch, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations, and communication relay missions.
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Mission Master A-UGV can be configured in different modules such as Mission Master – cargo, Mission Master – fire support and Mission Master – rescue. All the variants are capable of carrying out different missions.
Rheinmetall unveiled the new Mission Master – Armed Reconnaissance A-UGV which can execute high-risk scouting missions and also deliver immediate common operating picture, in November 2020.
Mission Master A-UGV development details
Rheinmetall launched the Mission Master cargo at the Eurosatory exhibition held in Paris, France, in June 2018.
The company exhibited the indefatigable Mission Master UGV at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DESI) 2019 held in London in September 2019.
In April 2020, the UK armed forces placed an order for four Mission Master cargo UGVs which will form part of the UK’s Robotic Platoon Vehicle programme. The programme helps in determining the combat effectiveness and capabilities of dismounted troops at platoon level of unmanned vehicles.
The contract also includes training, service support and spare parts as well as the supply of two stretcher systems which can be integrated into the cargo vehicle in a minute.
The Mission Master robotic vehicle entered a two-year concept development and experimentation programme of the Dutch Army in November 2020.
Mission Master A-UGV design and features
The all-terrain UGV is based on an 8×8 platform and has a length of 2.95m and weight of approximately 750kg.
The vehicle has the capacity to hold a maximum payload of 600kg, and up to 400kg during amphibious operations.
The unmanned vehicle travels at a maximum speed of 40km/h and can be fitted with tracks or chains for additional mobility.
The cargo module can carry payloads for different missions including surveillance, logistic transport, medical evacuation, CBRN detection, fire suppression, and communication relay.
The UGV can also be armed with 50mm weapon systems, 0.50 calibre machine guns and 40mm grenade launchers.
Mission Master armed reconnaissance variant
The new armed reconnaissance module is the latest variant of the modular Mission Master family. It offers all-terrain manoeuvrability and ability to keep troops safe.
The armed reconnaissance vehicle will have the capability to collect tactical intelligence in the area of operations as well as providing front-line fire support. It will be equipped with intelligence-gathering technology and fieldranger remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS).
The UGV can be fitted with any type of radio based on customer requirement. The bi-directional communication system offers greater situational awareness for commanders as it allows exchanges between HQ and other A-UGVs.
The vehicle is networked to the Argus soldier system and Rheinmetall command and control software. The UGV will be equipped with resilient, highly reliable systems to collect a huge amount of data during missions.
The unmanned ground vehicle also has the capacity to carry various payloads including long-range electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, surveillance radar, 360° full ring camera, laser rangefinder and laser designator for identifying potential threats.
It can be mounted with a 3.5m tall expandable mast with a tilting mechanism which allows for safe transportability of the vehicle on aerial platforms including CH-53 or CH-47 Chinook.
The Rheinmetall PATH autonomous kit (A-kit) enables the UGV to operate in unmanned mode and also offers various teleoperation options such as tablet, smartwatch, soldier system, and single-hand controller.
The vehicle is installed with Wolf Pack concept which allows multiple Mission Master vehicles to work together as a team for performing different missions including zone surveillance, reconnaissance, target position transfer and slew-to-cue.
Powered by artificial intelligence, all the units can communicate with each other for complete situational awareness. The Wolf Pack concept can be managed by an operator from any place by using the LTE network, SATCOM, or military cloud.
Contractors involved
Silent Sentinel secured a contract to supply multi-sensor electro-optic platform for the Mission Master armed reconnaissance autonomous UGV in November 2020. Deliveries will commence by the end of 2021.
