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Extra-Large Uncrewed Ground Vehicle for Autonomous Defence Logistics
Thales Australia and 3ME Technology have engineered a hybrid-electric autonomous platform designed to deliver high-capacity payload transport and remote power generation.
www.thalesgroup.com
© Thales
Thales Australia and 3ME Technology are releasing the BladeHAUL, an extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV) intended to integrate into the modern autonomous logistics ecosystem for defense and field support applications.
Engineering and Payload Capacity
The BladeHAUL XL-UGV utilizes a hybrid-electric drive system developed by 3ME Technology, integrating the company’s power, traction, and control subsystems. Built upon the structural framework and production lines of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV), the self-propelled wheeled platform manages heavy-duty, off-road transport operations. It is structurally designed to accommodate a standard 20-foot shipping container and transport payloads of up to 10 tonnes. This load-carrying capacity supports a decentralized defence supply chain, allowing the vehicle to function as a mobile command post or a dedicated logistics transport unit without requiring an onboard crew.
Operational Applications and Power Generation
Beyond physical material transport, the hybrid-electric architecture functions as a remote, high-capacity mobile power source. This enables the uncrewed vehicle to power communication networks, operate as a standalone generator, or sustain deployable field hospitals in austere environments. The platform is also configured to mount and autonomously transport various sensor arrays and effector technologies. Primary application areas include reconnaissance, surveillance, counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and maritime strike missions. By combining these operational profiles, the system facilitates human-machine teaming in contested littoral and land environments.
Manufacturing and Industry Integration
The vehicle is manufactured in Bendigo and Newcastle, Australia, leveraging the established manufacturing base of the Bushmaster PMV to scale production.
Jeff Connolly, CEO of Thales Australia and New Zealand, stated the structural rationale: "By leveraging the trusted Bushmaster platform and integrating advanced autonomous and power systems developed locally, together we are delivering a highly capable uncrewed ground vehicle to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our Defence Force."
Justin Bain, CEO of 3ME Technology, noted that the platform targets environments where the demand for contested logistics and remote power solutions is actively growing.
Additional Context
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original news release.
In the extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV) market, systems are benchmarked by payload capacity, drivetrain architecture, and modularity. Comparable platforms include the General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) TRX and the Milrem Robotics Type-X. The GDLS TRX is a tracked robotic combat vehicle with a maximum payload capacity of approximately 4,500 kilograms. The Milrem Type-X is a tracked armored platform supporting a maximum payload of roughly 4,100 kilograms, primarily targeted at mounting automated turret systems.
By comparison, the wheeled BladeHAUL differentiates itself with a 10,000-kilogram (10-tonne) payload capacity and the dimensional footprint necessary to carry standard 20-foot shipping containers. This architectural difference optimizes the platform for heavy logistics transport and remote energy distribution rather than strictly operating as a forward weapons carrier.
Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
www.thalesgroup.com
Thales Australia and 3ME Technology are releasing the BladeHAUL, an extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV) intended to integrate into the modern autonomous logistics ecosystem for defense and field support applications.
Engineering and Payload Capacity
The BladeHAUL XL-UGV utilizes a hybrid-electric drive system developed by 3ME Technology, integrating the company’s power, traction, and control subsystems. Built upon the structural framework and production lines of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV), the self-propelled wheeled platform manages heavy-duty, off-road transport operations. It is structurally designed to accommodate a standard 20-foot shipping container and transport payloads of up to 10 tonnes. This load-carrying capacity supports a decentralized defence supply chain, allowing the vehicle to function as a mobile command post or a dedicated logistics transport unit without requiring an onboard crew.
Operational Applications and Power Generation
Beyond physical material transport, the hybrid-electric architecture functions as a remote, high-capacity mobile power source. This enables the uncrewed vehicle to power communication networks, operate as a standalone generator, or sustain deployable field hospitals in austere environments. The platform is also configured to mount and autonomously transport various sensor arrays and effector technologies. Primary application areas include reconnaissance, surveillance, counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and maritime strike missions. By combining these operational profiles, the system facilitates human-machine teaming in contested littoral and land environments.
Manufacturing and Industry Integration
The vehicle is manufactured in Bendigo and Newcastle, Australia, leveraging the established manufacturing base of the Bushmaster PMV to scale production.
Jeff Connolly, CEO of Thales Australia and New Zealand, stated the structural rationale: "By leveraging the trusted Bushmaster platform and integrating advanced autonomous and power systems developed locally, together we are delivering a highly capable uncrewed ground vehicle to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our Defence Force."
Justin Bain, CEO of 3ME Technology, noted that the platform targets environments where the demand for contested logistics and remote power solutions is actively growing.
Additional Context
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original news release.
In the extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV) market, systems are benchmarked by payload capacity, drivetrain architecture, and modularity. Comparable platforms include the General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) TRX and the Milrem Robotics Type-X. The GDLS TRX is a tracked robotic combat vehicle with a maximum payload capacity of approximately 4,500 kilograms. The Milrem Type-X is a tracked armored platform supporting a maximum payload of roughly 4,100 kilograms, primarily targeted at mounting automated turret systems.
By comparison, the wheeled BladeHAUL differentiates itself with a 10,000-kilogram (10-tonne) payload capacity and the dimensional footprint necessary to carry standard 20-foot shipping containers. This architectural difference optimizes the platform for heavy logistics transport and remote energy distribution rather than strictly operating as a forward weapons carrier.
Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
www.thalesgroup.com
