General Dynamics Wants Ajax Crews Driving ARX's Robots. The MOD Is Not Paying for It.
ARX Robotics gains a British Army platform and a Welsh production route through General Dynamics Land Systems-UK. The concept is uncosted and carries no Ministry of Defence funding.
The German robot maker gains a British Army platform and a Welsh production route; the Ministry of Defence has put money behind neither.
General Dynamics Land Systems-UK and ARX Robotics UK opened a collaboration on Sept. 16 to pair the British Army's Ajax reconnaissance vehicle with ARX's Hector uncrewed ground vehicle, the companies announced at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics show. Initial work connects the two through Generic Vehicle Architecture, the Army's common digital interface, so Ajax crews can task and monitor robots from inside the vehicle. No value, quantity or schedule was disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did ARX Robotics and General Dynamics agree?
A collaboration announced Sept. 16 to explore pairing ARX's Hector uncrewed ground vehicle with the British Army's Ajax, and to study UK production at GDLS-UK's South Wales site, per the companies. No value or schedule was disclosed.
How would Ajax control the Hector?
Through Generic Vehicle Architecture, the British Army's common digital interface standard, which would let Ajax crews task, monitor and employ the robot for reconnaissance, surveillance, protection and combat roles, per the companies.
Is the Ministry of Defence funding this?
No. The Financial Times reported the project is at concept stage, has not been costed and requires no Ministry of Defence funding at this stage.
What is the British Army's 20-40-40 design?
A construct set out by Gen. Roly Walker under which 20% of equipment is survivable, 40% is attritable and uncrewed, and 40% is consumable, such as missiles and one-way attack drones. An official told the Financial Times ARX's vehicles would sit in the middle category.
Does ARX Robotics already sell to the British Army?
Yes. ARX Robotics UK won a first British Army contract in April through Task Force RAPSTONE for UK-built Gereon uncrewed ground vehicles with reconnaissance payloads, and said it is investing £45 million in UK manufacturing.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.