American Rheinmetall, and Harbinger have formed a partnership to develop and field a family of robotic and uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) in support of U.S. Department of War (DoW) modernization priorities. The teaming pairs American Rheinmetall’s combat-proven vehicle integration, mission systems, and modular architecture development with Harbinger’s commercially based, autonomy-ready hybrid vehicle platform to deliver affordable, scalable robotic solutions that can be fielded at the pace of relevance.

Under the agreement, the companies will jointly pursue current and emerging DoW programs where commercial-derived, hybrid-electric, and fully drive-by-wire architectures can accelerate the delivery of robotic combat, logistics, and sustainment capabilities. Initial areas of collaboration include autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles, contested-logistics resupply, and next-generation robotic platforms aligned with U.S. Army autonomy and manned-unmanned teaming priorities.

“Soldiers need robotics they can trust, at a cost that lets them field them in the numbers required to win,” said Matthew Warnick, CEO of American Rheinmetall. “Harbinger’s drive-by-wire, hybrid-electric platform is one of the most autonomy-ready commercial chassis ever built in the United States, and combined with American Rheinmetall’s deep experience integrating mission systems for the Army, gives the DoW an attritable, sovereign, and rapidly scalable option, engineered here, built here, and ready to fight.”

The partnership directly addresses DoW priorities around combat effectiveness, affordability, and industrial readiness. American Rheinmetall brings combat vehicle integration experience, a mature modular architecture and adaptable mission kit interface, and an established U.S. industrial footprint supporting major ground combat vehicle programs. Harbinger’s platform is designed from the ground up with scalable battery architecture, and a range-extended hybrid powertrain, enabling silent watch, reduced thermal and acoustic signatures, and extended operational endurance. Harbinger’s hybrid platform leverages the company’s proven electric chassis, and pairs it with a gas-powered range extender that recharges the battery to keep missions going in the most demanding environments. 

“Harbinger has always built for the toughest commercial missions, and the Warfighter’s mission is the toughest of all,” said John Harris, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Harbinger. “Partnering with American Rheinmetall, one of the most capable ground systems integrators serving the DoW, allows us to bring our autonomy-ready platform at a price point that makes true attritable mass possible. Together, we can give Soldiers robotic systems that are affordable enough to be everywhere they’re needed, and tough enough to do the job when they get there. Most importantly, by taking the driver out of the vehicle with advanced autonomy and teleoperation, we can keep service men and women out of harm’s way”

Both companies are committed to U.S. design, engineering, and manufacturing. American Rheinmetall operates manufacturing, integration, and sustainment facilities in Michigan and is scaling additional U.S. production capacity across facilities in MI, OH, and ME in support of its growing portfolio of Army programs. Harbinger designs and assembles its powertrain, battery systems, and chassis in-house at its California headquarters. 

The companies expect to begin joint demonstrations this summer and will pursue near-term prototyping opportunities through Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), and traditional programs of record.

www.rheinmetall-us.com 

Advancements include common controller with Black Hornet® 4 nano-drone, enabling combined unmanned ground-air operations

Rugged UGV serves as operators’ first line of remote engagement, built for the toughest real-world environments

TAMPA, Fla., May 19, 2026 ? Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), announced today at SOF Week the official launch of its new FirstLook® 125 throwable personal reconnaissance robot.

The FirstLook 125 unmanned ground system delivers real-time visual, thermal, and audio situational awareness across complex terrain, lowering force risk and enabling faster decision-making.

Purpose?built for coordinated ground?air missions, FirstLook 125 shares a common controller and operational architecture with Teledyne FLIR Defense’s Black Hornet® 4 nano?drone. This enables a single user to deploy and manage both systems without changing tools or workflows. The commonality extends FirstLook beyond ground?only reconnaissance, allowing users to combine interior and exterior ISR, quickly transition between platforms, and maintain continuous situational awareness across domains. The result is an integrated ‘first?in’ capability that delivers greater flexibility and mission utility at the squad and fire?team level.

“As the need for interoperability with unmanned operations grows, FirstLook 125 can support missions demanding both ground and airborne intelligence, thanks to its common controller,” said Tung Ng, Vice President of Unmanned Systems North America at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “And ruggedness isn’t even a question. Through repeated throws, hard drops – plus its agility in confined spaces – FirstLook 125 is engineered for reliability when conditions are toughest.

“Along with our FirstLook 110 robot, the FirstLook family continues to give operators eyes, ears – and confidence – before putting personnel in harm’s way,” Ng added.

FirstLook 125’s advanced tracked mobility is optimized for stairwells, rubble, and uneven ground, producing stable, reliable movement in the most challenging environments. Its lightweight 5.7lb (2.6kg) design can sustain 16ft (5m) drops and self-rights instantly, remaining mission-ready after any throw or tumble. Using rugged, articulated flippers, FirstLook 125 pushes through debris, climbs obstacles, and maneuvers inside confined spaces while bringing an enhanced EO/IR camera suite, integrated illumination, and two-way audio to low-light, GPS-denied, and cluttered operational conditions.

Other FirstLook 125 features include:

Lightweight, Man-Portable Design: Purpose-built for single operator carry, enabling rapid deployment and sustained dismounted operations without degrading memory or endurance.

Throwable and Droppable with Rapid Mission Readiness: Engineered for hand deployment through windows, doorways, and confined spaces, allowing immediate emplacement without compromising sensing, mobility, or system survivability.

Integrated Day/Night ISR with Secure, Real Time Link: Visible and infrared imaging provide continuous situational awareness that is paired with encrypted, low-latency video and control links for immediate operator decision-making.