American Rheinmetall and Harbinger partner on robotic ground vehicles for U.S. Department of War programs

The partnership combines American Rheinmetall’s experience in vehicle integration, mission systems and modular architecture development with Harbinger’s commercially based, autonomy-ready hybrid vehicle platform. The companies said the goal is to deliver affordable and scalable robotic solutions that can be fielded at operationally relevant speed.

Under the agreement, American Rheinmetall and Harbinger will jointly pursue current and emerging Department of War programs. The companies said commercial-derived, hybrid-electric and fully drive-by-wire architectures could accelerate delivery of robotic combat, logistics and sustainment capabilities.

Initial areas of collaboration include autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles, contested-logistics resupply and next-generation robotic platforms. The effort is aligned with U.S. Army priorities for autonomy and manned-unmanned teaming.

“Soldiers need robotics they can trust, at a cost that lets them field them in the numbers required to win,” said Matthew Warnick, CEO of American Rheinmetall.

“Harbinger’s drive-by-wire, hybrid-electric platform is one of the most autonomy-ready commercial chassis ever built in the United States, and combined with American Rheinmetall’s deep experience integrating mission systems for the Army, gives the DoW an attritable, sovereign, and rapidly scalable option, engineered here, built here, and ready to fight,” Warnick said.

The companies said the partnership directly addresses Department of War priorities for combat effectiveness, affordability and industrial readiness. American Rheinmetall brings combat vehicle integration experience, a mature modular architecture, an adaptable mission kit interface and a U.S. industrial footprint supporting major ground combat vehicle programs.

Harbinger’s platform is designed with scalable battery architecture and a range-extended hybrid powertrain. The companies said this enables silent watch, reduced thermal and acoustic signatures and extended operational endurance.

Harbinger’s hybrid platform uses the company’s electric chassis and pairs it with a gas-powered range extender. The range extender recharges the battery to support missions in demanding environments.

“Harbinger has always built for the toughest commercial missions, and the Warfighter’s mission is the toughest of all,” said John Harris, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Harbinger.

“Partnering with American Rheinmetall, one of the most capable ground systems integrators serving the DoW, allows us to bring our autonomy-ready platform at a price point that makes true attritable mass possible,” Harris said.

“Together, we can give Soldiers robotic systems that are affordable enough to be everywhere they’re needed, and tough enough to do the job when they get there,” Harris said.

“Most importantly, by taking the driver out of the vehicle with advanced autonomy and teleoperation, we can keep service men and women out of harm’s way,” Harris added.

Both companies said they are committed to U.S. design, engineering and manufacturing. American Rheinmetall operates manufacturing, integration and sustainment facilities in Michigan and is scaling additional U.S. production capacity in Michigan, Ohio and Maine.

Harbinger designs and assembles its powertrain, battery systems and chassis in-house at its California headquarters. The companies said this industrial base supports their plans for domestic development and production.

American Rheinmetall and Harbinger expect to begin joint demonstrations this summer. They also plan to pursue near-term prototyping opportunities through Commercial Solutions Openings, Other Transaction Authorities and traditional programs of record.

Rheinmetall’s U.S. companies include American Rheinmetall sites in Michigan, Maine, Ohio and Virginia, as well as American Rheinmetall Munitions facilities in Arkansas, Texas, Virginia and Maine. Harbinger is an American manufacturer of electrification technologies for all-electric and hybrid medium-duty vehicle platforms, battery and drivetrain systems and auxiliary power solutions.