Thales and 3ME Technology unveil Australia’s most ‘powerful’ XL-UGV or extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle, the Bushmaster-inspired BladeHAUL.
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Press Release, Paris, 06 October 2026: Thales Australia and 3ME Technology have today unveiled a versatile new platform that leverages key features of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV). Building on the combat-proven strength and reliability of the Bushmaster, BladeHAUL is a self-propelled, hybrid, heavy-duty, off-road, extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV), engineered to outperform all existing and planned counterparts in payload capacity and operational flexibility.
Manufactured in Bendigo and Newcastle, using the Bushmaster production line and 3ME’s leading power, hybrid drive and control systems expertise, BladeHAUL represents a significant step forward in sovereign Australian defence capability. BladeHAUL is designed to support a broad range of logistics missions and containerised payload capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness, including:
- Serving as a logistics platform with remote and autonomous control, capable of carrying up to a 20ft container and 10-tonne payloads – more than any existing or planned Australian UGV.
- Acting as a hybrid mobile power source delivering high on-board power supply remotely, making it ideal for powering field hospitals, communication systems, and serving as a standalone generator.
- Functioning as a platform for mounting, operating, and autonomously transporting a variety of sensor and effector technologies, making it an essential capability for reconnaissance, surveillance and other mission-critical tasks.
Together, these capabilities make the BladeHAUL XL-UGV a truly versatile and indispensable asset for modern defence forces. By integrating advanced autonomy that enables human-machine teaming, hybrid technology, heavy payload capacity, and power generation within a single platform, Thales Australia and 3ME Technology are delivering a next-generation solution that enhances operational readiness and supports Australia’s commitment to sovereign defence innovation.
Jeff Connolly, CEO, Thales Australia and New Zealand declares: “BladeHAUL is a clear example of Australian innovation delivering Australian capability. By leveraging the trusted Bushmaster platform and integrating advanced autonomous and power systems developed locally, together we are delivering a highly capable uncrewed ground vehicle to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our Defence Force.”
Justin Bain, CEO, 3ME Technology declares: ” Working with Thales Australia brings together the best of Australian innovation, combining 3ME Technology’s systems engineering and platform development …… BladeDRIVE and BladeNET into one platform. Together we can deliver sovereign power, traction and control systems that turn proven mobility platforms into adaptable, mission-ready autonomous capability.”
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