American Rheinmetall supplies Mission Master to the US Marine Corps
Auburn Hills, MI — American Rheinmetall has secured a $7.28 million contract to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps through the manufacture and delivery of Mission Master SP Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs), along with associated Marine Kits and supporting equipment. This procurement is facilitated by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), with ADS Inc. acting as the prime contractor in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL).
The contract includes the provision of 12 Mission Master SP A-UGVs and five amphibious kits. These advanced vehicles are the latest iteration of the Mission Master platform, designed specifically to support operational evaluation, experimentation, and capability enhancement related to autonomous logistics and expeditionary mobility for the Marine Corps.
Matt Warnick, CEO of American Rheinmetall, remarked, “This award represents a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership with the United States Marine Corps. For more than four years, we have worked side-by-side with Marines to mature, refine, and advance autonomous ground capabilities. The Mission Master SP captures the full breadth of those lessons learned and showcases Rheinmetall’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, reliable, and mission-ready autonomous systems.”
Pietro Mazzei, President and CEO of Rheinmetall Canada, added, “This collaboration between Rheinmetall colleagues enables the U.S. Marine Corps to deploy the Mission Master SP in multi-domain environments and continue to push the boundaries of Canadian innovation.”
A New Phase in Marine Corps Autonomous Capability Development
The new Mission Master SP vehicles feature Rheinmetall’s PATH autonomy architecture, improved vehicle characterization, and modular payload integration. Additionally, the Marine Kit enhances the vehicles’ capacity for reliable, extended amphibious operations in coastal areas. These enhancements stem from extensive user feedback, developmental testing, live-fire events, and operational experimentation.
The procurement encompasses a comprehensive suite of program management, engineering support, logistics coordination, technical documentation, operator training, and acceptance testing. American Rheinmetall will lead the work in the United States, supported by Rheinmetall Canada as the original equipment manufacturer and technical partner.
Supporting Strategic U.S. Autonomy Initiatives
This initiative aligns with American Rheinmetall’s strategy to broaden U.S.-based autonomous ground vehicle capabilities and facilitate long-term technology transfer. It also contributes to the development of American Rheinmetall’s Maine facility, which is set to become a U.S. Advanced Land Autonomy Center of Excellence (ALACOE) focused on PATH integration, production, sustainment, and lifecycle support.
While the current procurement does not necessitate immediate facility expansion, it marks a crucial progression toward future U.S. manufacturing, workforce enhancement, and sustained operations.
Strengthening Marine Corps Readiness and Modernization
The Mission Master SP systems will serve to bolster the Marine Corps’ efforts in enhancing autonomous logistics, enabling distributed operations, and extending operational reach while minimizing personnel risks. These vehicles are designed to support evolving concepts concerning expeditionary advanced base operations and multi-domain operations.
This effort builds upon several key milestones, including:
- Over four years of collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps
- Successful deployment of twelve Mission Master systems within Fleet Marine Force operations
- Development and integration of the Marine Kit for amphibious missions
- Implementation and deployment of the Fieldranger Remote Weapon Station
- Ongoing advancement of PATH autonomous capability development
- Future establishment of American Rheinmetall’s ALACOE initiative
This contract underscores the deep partnership between American Rheinmetall, Rheinmetall Canada, and the U.S. Marine Corps, highlighting a shared commitment to advancing autonomous ground technologies that empower Marines in their operations. With the Mission Master SP, American Rheinmetall continues to align with the Marine Corps’ modernization objectives while providing proven, mission-ready systems.
About Rheinmetall in the U.S.
The Rheinmetall family of U.S. companies includes American Rheinmetall in Auburn Hills, MI (headquarters), along with locations in Biddeford, ME; Lansing, MI; Lapeer, MI; Plymouth, MI; St. Marys, OH; and Vienna, VA, as well as American Rheinmetall Munitions in Camden, AR; Texarkana, TX (Expal USA); Vienna, VA (HQ); and Windham, ME.
