Controlling a battle-ready vehicle on a screen is no longer just for video games. American Rheinmetall Vehicles created the Mission Master SP, an autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV).
These A-UGVs are built to be used for a wide range of situations. The Mission Master SP has a variety of modular attachments and can be fitted out for everything from a remotely controlled weapon station to armed reconnaissance, flank security and more.
One reason why the Marines and other branches of the military are interested in U-AGV equipment like the Mission Master is that it’s a force multiplier. This means it allows a unit to do more with less, turning a 10-person job into a five-person one. That makes these a valuable asset as every branch faces recruiting issues.
The Marine Corps recently put the A-UGV to the test during a live-fire demonstration at Fort Clinton in Ohio. Combined with the Talisman Sabre Exercise in Australia in the summer of 2023 and the Apollo Shield exercise in California in the fall of 2023, it becomes clear the Marines see the Mission Master SP as a good way to help their forces in a fight while protecting their people at the same time.
Maj. Steven Atkinson is the Robotics and Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence branch head for the Science and Technology Division of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
Atkinson said what separates the Mission Master from other autonomous vehicles is its ability to engage targets on the ground and in the air.
“Experimentation with state-of-the-art autonomous systems exemplifies our commitment to harnessing innovative technologies that enhance our tactical capabilities, ensuring our Marines are better equipped, more agile, and always a step ahead on the battlefield,” Atkinson said.
The U.S. Marine Corps started taking deliveries of these A-UGVs in 2023. In December, American Rheinmetall Vehicles received an order for six additional Mission Master SPs, which will end up with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, who will be the first to conduct pre-deployment preparations and deploy with these new A-UGVs.
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