American Rheinmetall and Harbinger Partner for Robotic Ground Vehicles

American Rheinmetall and Harbinger Partner for Robotic Ground Vehicles American Rheinmetall and Harbinger have announced a joint effort to equip U.S. forces with next‑generation robotic ground vehicles and unmanned logistics platforms. The partnership, unveiled on May 27, pairs American Rheinmetall’s ground‑vehicle integration expertise with Harbinger’s advanced electric and hybrid chassis to develop affordable, scalable UGVs to support Army modernization priorities. Together the companies will pursue Army programs for autonomous tactical trucks, contested resupply and manned–unmanned teaming, with initial demonstrations planned in summer 2026 and prototyping through rapid‑acquisition pathways. American Rheinmetall, the U.S. subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, is a seasoned defense OEM specializing in tracked and wheeled combat and support vehicles. Based in Michigan, it has facilities in MI, OH and ME supporting combat vehicle programs and will handle mission integration, modular architecture and manufacturing in this effort. Harbinger is a California‑based industrial EV manufacturer known for medium‑duty all‑electric and plug‑in hybrid truck chassis. Its drive‑by‑wire hybrid platform is built from the ground up for autonomy and affordability. Harbinger designs and assembles its own battery and powertrain systems (including an 800‑V high‑power architecture) and recently acquired Phantom AI to add advanced driver‑assist and autonomy features. The core vehicle platform is a medium‑duty wheeled chassis. Harbinger offers 19–26-ton (GVWR) hybrid chassis with wheelbases that carry tens of thousands of pounds and offer up to 500 miles of range. Its 208″ PHEV platform can hit 500 miles with a 175 kWh battery and gas engine, supporting over 13,600 lbs payload. The fully electronic drive‑by‑wire design means steering, acceleration and braking are controlled by software, simplifying the addition of autonomy. Intended roles include autonomous logistics resupply, reconnaissance, force protection and combat support. Army officials want vehicles that can haul supplies in contested areas, scout ahead of formations, serve as mobile sensors or communications nodes,