Rheinmetall and defence technology startup Breaker have signed a teaming agreement to bring human-machine teaming to armoured vehicles. Under the deal, Breaker’s tactical orchestration agent will be integrated into the Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), letting crews command autonomous systems by voice, according to the companies’ announcement.
Fast integration, short training
The Boxer’s open architecture allowed the two firms to move quickly. Engineers integrated Breaker’s software into Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s simulator within weeks. A working capability on the Boxer followed within six months of their first conversation.
In a customer demonstration, one crew member with less than 30 minutes of training commanded a swarm of drones through the vehicle’s standard-issue microphone and headset. The operator drove the vehicle and carried out regular crew duties at the same time.
Extending reach without adding crew
The companies say the system combines crewed and uncrewed platforms to extend the Boxer’s reach and situational awareness without adding personnel. They also expect it to improve survivability and lethality by keeping the crew focused on the mission.
Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, described the Boxer CRV as the most advanced land platform in service with the Australian Army. He said its open architecture makes integrating new force multipliers “essentially ‘plug and play'”. The demonstration showed an operator controlling autonomous systems “as they would talk to any member of their crew”, he added.
Michael Irwin, co-founder and co-CEO of Breaker, said the integration makes each vehicle “the centre of its own autonomous formation”. He argued that collaboration between companies is the only way to deliver capability at the speed of relevance.
Programme context
Rheinmetall is delivering 211 Boxer CRVs to the Australian Army under the LAND400 Phase 2 project, awarded in 2018. The vehicles are expected to serve for 30 years. The companies say the partnership could expand to other capabilities and vehicle types in Australia and abroad.
Learn more on Rheinmetall’s website
