Rheinmetall and defense technology startup Breaker have signed a teaming agreement to bring human-machine teaming to armored vehicles. Breaker’s tactical orchestration agent will be integrated into the Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) through the platform’s open architecture, allowing the crew to control teams of autonomous systems by voice.
This marks a step change in armored vehicle operations capability by combining crewed and uncrewed platforms to extend the Boxer’s reach and situational awareness without adding personnel. It will enhance survivability and lethality on the battlefield by reinforcing the Boxer crew with robot teams, allowing them to stay fully mission-focused.
The two companies worked together quickly, integrating Breaker’s software into Rheinmetall Defense Australia’s simulator within weeks and demonstrating a working capability on the Boxer within six months of their first conversation.
In the customer demonstration, a single crew member with less than 30 minutes of training commanded a swarm of drones through the Boxer’s standard-issue microphone and headset, while simultaneously operating the vehicle and performing their regular duties. The demonstration clearly showed that seamless crewed and uncrewed collaboration can keep human operators safe on the front line.
Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defense Australia, said: “The Boxer CRV, delivered through LAND400 Phase Two, is the most advanced land platform in service with the Australian Army. Its open architecture makes integration of novel force multipliers, such as Breaker’s software, essentially ‘plug and play’.
“Integrating platforms with autonomy solutions is about enhancing crew survivability and mission effectiveness. What we’ve been able to demonstrate with Breaker, after only six months of working together, is a Boxer operator controlling autonomous systems with their voice as they would talk to any member of their crew.
“This achievement is a testament to Rheinmetall’s open architecture approach and Breaker’s platform-agnostic software.”
Michael Irwin, co-founder and co-CEO of Breaker, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Rheinmetall on the next generation of armored vehicle operations. Boxer is a tested, validated, and integrated capability, and Breaker’s tactical orchestration layer lets crews work with teams of robots in a way they never could before. This integration makes the Boxer more lethal and more survivable in future fights with fewer crew members. It makes every vehicle the center of its own autonomous formation.
“This partnership shows how important it is for like-minded companies to work together. The world of warfare is changing very quickly. Collaboration is the only way to deliver capability at the speed of relevance.
“Warfighters at the front line need autonomy the most, and they have it the least. Our mission is to change that.”
Under the LAND400 Phase 2 project awarded in 2018, Rheinmetall is delivering 211 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles expected to remain in service for the next 30 years. This partnership with Breaker could expand across capabilities and vehicle types, both in Australia and globally.
