Thales and 3ME Technology unveil BladeHAUL multi-role unmanned ground vehicle based on Bushmaster
French defense firm Thales and Australian partner 3ME Technology unveiled BladeHAUL, a multi-role unmanned ground vehicle derived from the Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle. The robotic platform is designed for logistics, reconnaissance, and support missions. The system reflects evolving views on military robotics informed by Ukraine combat lessons.
Thales Australia develops BladeHAUL autonomous big-rig truck for battlefield logistics
Thales Australia is working on autonomy features for a new heavy cargo robot called BladeHAUL, capable of carrying a 20-foot container or serving as a large mobile battery in the field, Defense News reports. The vehicle is based on a commercial big-rig platform and is intended to reduce the need for human drivers in contested logistics zones. Thales has not disclosed a customer or fielding timeline.
Why it matters: A 20-foot container holds 20 tonnes — autonomous logistics at that scale removes the single biggest manpower constraint in expeditionary operations.
Thales and German firm STARK to fit Cascade loitering munition to Bushmaster armoured vehicle
Thales Australia and Germany's STARK have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate STARK's Cascade loitering munition onto the Bushmaster armoured vehicle. Thales says the system can hit targets up to 100 km away, giving the Australian-built platform a launcher for one-way attack drones.
Thales to deploy air traffic control radar in Faroe Islands for Danish Ministry of Defence
Thales has been selected by DALO, the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, to supply and deploy an advanced air traffic control radar in the Faroe Islands. The contract supports Danish military air operations in the North Atlantic region.
Ireland buys Thales Ground Master 400 and 200 radars via French government-to-government deal
Ireland's Department of Defence signed an agreement with France's DGA for delivery of Thales Ground Master 400 Alpha and Ground Master 200 Multi Mission radars to reinforce Irish air surveillance. The contract was arranged through the French defense procurement agency, indicating a government-to-government sale.
Why it matters: Ireland has long outsourced air defense to the RAF; buying long-range surveillance radar suggests Dublin is finally taking territorial air awareness seriously, even if it still has no interceptors.