AUSA 2019: Rheinmetall robotic and autonomous vehicles for U.S. Army programme

[@Beppo_Hetzer]

As soon as it is unmanned suddenly there is international interest for the Wiesel. Thats a surprise, after decades on the market he gets a well deserved second summer. Nice paint job too. Sweet.

[@VladiSSius]

I'm thinking that because unmanned means no need extra space for human inside, the vehicle can be small. And thus made Wiesel a good candidate for unmanned ground combat vehicle. Good to see that older models have a new life after all these years.

[@MrCemicalX]

Its also a platform that has been designed with easy maintenance on the field as a added bonus.

[@philchristmas4071]

The US Army bought 10 Wiesels over 10-15 years ago and have been testing them with the mortar systems.

[@agile-heliuk1801]

We were testing self driving autonomous vehicles in the UK back in 1988/9 so the tech has been around a long time.

[@positroll7870]

Personally, I think going unmanned is a bad idea at this point in time. Way too much effort needed, esp to make the thing safe against Russian hackers. If I was Rheinmetall, I'd rather go for a 1 man Wiesel III. Why? Think of all the kids growing up playing video games like world of warcraft etc. Driving the thing with one joystick, and using weapons / sensors with the other, should be childs play for them. So scrap the second/third man - at least for the MK and MELLS version. Start with a Wiesel one. Narrow it and lower the overall silouette, so it fits easily into an Osprey (Marine Corps will love it, so maybe we can get a large production run going, keeping down the price; given how light it is, maybe there could be an amphibious version [Wiesel IV], too?). Protected monocoque for the driver, similar to some airforce cockpits (as already thought about for the LuWa). Diesel-electric drive train, similar to the one already tested in the 90s. Diesel engine in the front, as additional protection for the driver. Diesel engine drives the Wiesel on longer distances, and loads the batteries. Batteries for silent running near the enemy. In addition to cameras, an in-built see-through block made of armored glass as in the FFG PMMC G5, but with the option of closing steel shields on top by pulling a handle (or pressing a button). Three variants on this basis: 1) BK 27mm revolver machine cannon as used in Tornado/EF/Helis etc. Maybe in a casemate system similar to the StuG III, if the recoil is too heavy for a "real" turret / weapons platform. Belt loaded with armor piercing and HE shells in alternation. 2 round burst against lightly armored targets. 5 round bursts against semi-armored targets like IFVs and APCs. 2) Tank killer equiped with 5 Spike LR II missiles in a revolver magazine. 3-6 spare missiles in a magazine at the back of the Wiesel (outside the armor). Plus a MG5 for self defense. 3) Scout version - extended batteries replacing some of the armament weight; scouting equipment the other part; plus a MG5 for self defense. Now, if you are Germany, you can combine them with a Wiesel II for command and control purposes. Commands 2 groups made up of one scout, two MK27s and one tank killer each. Another Wiesel II to carry ammo. One for fuel. And one stuffed with vertical launch cells for a salvo of Spike ER IIs. Makes one platoon with 4 WII and 8 WIII. The marines would have to organize Command and control differently, if they use Ospreys to insert the WIII deep behind enemy lines ... probably put the commanders into the scouts ... Just my 2 cents ...

[@travisjohnson6703]

Only issue I see is that it is a platform designed around having crew, meaning that it has lots of wasted space for an unmanned vehicle and thus wasted armor. If they chopped the top off and shifted systems around to decrease size, while shifting that saved weight into armor, fuel, ammo, or armaments it would stand a better chance. As is, it is currently being sold as a proven platform, not an optimized one.

[@RatherCrunchyMuffin]

Travis Johnson good points, but alluding back to what the spokesman said, the military generally, and Army in particular, are looking for timeliness. I think the army has had too much egg on its face in soliciting for ground-up new systems

[@DKSorg]

@@RatherCrunchyMuffin If you ran a Convoy of the RCV Light, with the Mules, Wiesel and Infantry.... you would be able to carry loads of gear and have a command vehicle, supply, weapons 5.56 mini-guns & 40mm (Mules), ATGMs, Recoiless, in a rather mobile package. @Travis Johnson what do you think? Like everything.... It will be a great fit for some things.... not so so good for others. Could be an easy way to bolster Base Defense... Mobile, means it could have a "Hide" and respond when needed, retrieve casualties, but also repel an attack with FORCE and Firepower.

[@TheJttv]

But does it plant trees?

[@derkernspalter]

You can certainly put seedlings into the holes.

[@oscarmuffin4322]

Wow, he looks.... enthusiastic.

[@superwout]

Well, oxycodon is in widespread use among corporate folk

[@andrewyunus2421]

We must made m50 ontos robotic unmaned....

[@shanechapman3567]

And someone drops ah emp and it can't work darn

[@rawpotatofella9654]

Main problem with Rheinmetall like with all German companies is that their products are expensive and unaffordable

[@rawpotatofella9654]

Ace of Spades look how well the Bundeswehr is going. They’re seriously underfunded, and the cost of maintaining and sustaining readiness is putting the hurt on them. Which is why cash strapped countries are starting to go for products from China and Russia. Half the price of German and US and UK products, but have 75-80% of Western nation capability. And the technological gap is rapidly decreasing.

[@menakeldebakel253]

you are serious wrong, the Bundeswehr is not underfuded, the problem is they don't give their shit together to buy what is needed. It's currently a organisational problem, not a budget problem.

[@arberchabot8760]

@yehoutube What universe are you from to think the PLA defeated the US lmfao

[@arberchabot8760]

@yehoutube The US repelled the Chinese invasion to SK. How do you call that a Chinese victory lmao

[@xaina222]

@yehoutube Chinese man mad at US in youtube comment section

[@laserbrain7774]

Maximum Overdrive

[@superwout]

Hilarious.... I salute you

[@donaldjonesgonzalez2761]

ALL APPROVED; 🦊

[@Veldtian1]

They got to update the hell out of the Wiesel, band tracks, hybrid electric drive, Dyneema composite armor, light, fast, tiny, stealthy. Stop being so friggen lazy and staid.

[@superwout]

KeepItSimpleStupid

[@statsredner9399]

This won't have anything to do with this show but if were going to war itll be a good idea to start building defense compounds around our country shores all along the coast sides north east south and west and build some military bunkers around them like they did Russia back in D DAY TIMES .

[@Ade-mu4zn]

🇲🇨💪👍👌

[@danroley7850]

Rheinmetall is a Large Name in the African- Middle East Armaments/ Military Materials Developing Corporations.

[@jasons44]

Well it's s*** in America they need to go buy some more Russian gas

[@stephenmiller2544]

Some of these look like they were trying to get that M3 DARPA money.

[@darthmorpheus9603]

T-1 needs its mini guns :).

[@hamzaouamrouche6272]

Go Autonomous for US ARMY Robotic Combat Vehicle ACV light next generation configuration digital wieser next Gen Lethality by R.i.metal

[@Ville-en4kj]

We are so screwed!

[@iainmcmillan616]

Buy loads

[@EDGAR15ish]

If its autonomous why the fuck does it have rear view mirrors 😂

[@RecoilCDS]

Have literally none of you watched any of the Terminator movies? It doesn’t end well.

[@Adam-su2jj]

IKR what are these people thinking.

[@jasons44]

What has Germany done for the United States recently

[@mondriaa]

you mean stepped up and helped out in most US missions, how many German troops served to defend the US, how many where killed, you Muricans keep forgetting that the only time NATO came to action was to help the US in Afghanistan and they got thanked by a bullshit bill by a thankless, spineless, orange rapist that likes to be buddies with dictators. But sure Germany has done nothing for the US recently just more then the other way around

[@lobushell]

I hate to say this but Shaun Connors voice is really annoying. And every time he is going to ask something he does the now classic HAC HAC.

[@JahzaelVillegasSanchez-lj7iz]

Iausa

[@MS-mz9jf]

Germans are great

[@musti197000]

Yes 50 years ago! Now Turkey is producing the best ground vehicles.

[@MS-mz9jf]

@@musti197000 and the Russians spanked the Turks...

[@TheLuckyCanuck947]

The Weisel is a piece of junk.