Rheinmetall and defence technology startup Breaker have signed a teaming agreement to bring human machine teaming to the Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV).
The system will be integrated through the platform's open architecture, allowing the crew to control teams of autonomous systems by voice.
In a demonstration to the customer, a single crew member with less than 30 minutes training, commanded a swarm of drones through the standard-issue microphone and headset in the Boxer, while simultaneously operating the vehicle and performing their regular duties.
“The Boxer CRV, delivered through Land 400 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’," Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia said.
“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 testament to Rheinmetall’s open architecture approach and Breaker’s platform agnostic software.”
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Rheinmetall on the next generation of armoured vehicle operations," Michael Irwin, co-founder and co-CEO of Breaker said. "Boxer is a tested, validated, and integrated capability and Breaker's tactical orchestration layer allows crews to work with teams of robots in a way they've never been able to before. This integration makes the Boxer more lethal and more survivable in the future fight with less crew. It makes every vehicle the centre of its own autonomous formation."
Under the Land 400 Phase 2 project awarded in 2018, Rheinmetall is delivering 211 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles that are expected to be in service for the next 30 years. The company says the partnership with Breaker has potential to expand across various capabilities and vehicle types, both in Australia and globally.