Rheinmetall demonstrates art of the possible for autonomous trucks
A five-vehicle mixed convoy of Rheinmetall and Oshkosh trucks operated in leader-follower mode during two weeks of testing at the Grafenwöhr Training Area in southern Germany. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Rheinmetall has successfully carried a two-week demonstration using a joint US-German convoy of autonomous trucks as part of the InterRoc programme.
Germany's Rheinmetall has successfully demonstrated its autonomous truck technology in a mixed US-German convoy. This was tested in an operational demonstration (OPDEMO) from 26 September to 7 October at the US Army’s Grafenwöhr Training Area in Bavaria.
Rheinmetall is conducting the InterRoC (Interoperable Robotic Convoy) research and technology project on behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw),
InterRoC encompasses two HX2 military trucks, each equipped with an autonomy kit (A-kit), and which alternate in accordance with the leader-follower principle. The first vehicle is driven manually, while the follower truck drives autonomously in its path, crewed only by a backup driver.
As well as primary inputs such as steering and accelerating, secondary functions like starting the engine or switching on lights are also controllable autonomously.
The project uses an A-Kit furnished by the German authorities, originally provided by the US under a project agreement. Rheinmetall’s role includes modifying the basic vehicles and integrating the autonomy function, together with commissioning and testing.
As part of its Autonomous Ground Resupply (AGR) project, the US Army uses the same A-kits in its Oshkosh trucks that Rheinmetall uses for InterRoC.
During the two-week OPDEMO, a convoy consisting of five vehicles tested different operating modes of the system in multiple variants. In the process, 1,051km were driven autonomously. The convoy also climbed a gradient of 40%, with the A-Kit operating the differential locks.
The vehicles were able to operate continuously for over 75min without manual intervention and maximum convoy length was 1,100m.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
