Rheinmetall and Australian defence technology startup Breaker have signed a teaming agreement to integrate human-machine teaming capabilities into the Australian Army’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV).
Under the agreement, Breaker’s tactical orchestration software will be integrated into the Boxer through its open architecture, allowing vehicle crews to control teams of autonomous systems using voice commands, according to Rheinmetall.
The companies said the capability is intended to combine crewed and uncrewed platforms, extending the Boxer’s reach and situational awareness without adding personnel to the vehicle crew.
Rheinmetall said the companies integrated Breaker’s software into its Defence Australia simulator within weeks and demonstrated the capability on a Boxer within six months of their initial discussions.
During a customer demonstration, a single crew member with less than 30 minutes of training used the Boxer’s standard microphone and headset to command a swarm of drones while operating the vehicle and carrying out regular duties.
Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said the Boxer’s open architecture supported the rapid integration of new technologies.
“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’,” Poyner said.
He said the integration was focused on improving 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,” Poyner said.
Breaker co-founder and co-CEO Michael Irwin said the technology would allow Boxer crews to work with autonomous systems in a different way.
“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,” Irwin said.
Rheinmetall said the partnership could potentially expand to other capabilities and vehicle types in Australia and internationally.
Under the LAND400 Phase 2 project awarded in 2018, Rheinmetall is delivering 211 Boxer CRVs, which are expected to remain in Australian Army service for the next 30 years.
