American Rheinmetall and electric truck maker Harbinger announced a joint development partnership focused on robotics and uncrewed ground vehicles for the U.S. Department of War, pairing Rheinmetall's combat-vehicle integration know-how with Harbinger's hybrid-electric medium-duty chassis.
Hybrid-Electric Chassis Meets Combat Vehicle Integration
Harbinger's commercial platform combines an electric chassis with a gas-powered range extender, a configuration the two companies argue is well suited to contested logistics where pure-EV range becomes a mission risk. Rheinmetall will layer in mission systems, drive-by-wire kits, and autonomy stacks, with both companies pledging to design, engineer, and manufacture the resulting uncrewed ground vehicles in the United States.
$41M U.S. Manufacturing Expansion
To support the program and broader U.S. work, Rheinmetall said it will spend $41 million across six American manufacturing facilities to expand capacity, upgrade operations, and shore up its supply chain. Initial collaboration areas include autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles, contested-logistics resupply, and next-generation robotic platforms aligned with U.S. Army autonomy and manned-unmanned teaming priorities. GVC demonstrations are slated for this summer, with the partners pursuing prototyping opportunities through Commercial Solutions Openings and Other Transaction Authorities.
Robotic Trucks Become A Pentagon Priority
The deal slots into a broader Pentagon push to field cheap, expendable robotic trucks ahead of soldiers. For more on that buildup, see our coverage of U.S. Army ground robots ahead of paratroopers in African Lion 26, AeroVironment's $117M P550 long-range reconnaissance contract, and the latest Pentagon CDAO Crucible 2 swarm program selections.
Reporting based on coverage from American Rheinmetall, Harbinger Motors, Manufacturing Dive and New Atlas.