Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles has taken over management of the latest phase of Germany’s Interoperable Robotic Convoy (InterRoC) research program, advancing efforts to develop autonomous military logistics technologies.
Known as InterRoC VII, the program aims to enable different military vehicles to operate together in autonomous convoys with minimal human intervention.
The project forms part of a broader Bundeswehr initiative to assess how artificial intelligence and automation can improve battlefield logistics while reducing risks to personnel.
Advancing Autonomous Logistics
InterRoC VII will use Rheinmetall’s HX military truck family as its primary test platform.
The vehicles will be equipped with the company’s modular PATH sensor suite and drive-by-wire technology, allowing steering, acceleration, and braking to be controlled electronically.
According to Rheinmetall, the system’s open architecture enables the integration of new sensors, AI software, and mission-specific capabilities as the technology matures.
A key objective of InterRoC VII is to develop autonomous convoy operations that remain functional in environments where Global Navigation Satellite System signals are unavailable or disrupted.
Such conditions are increasingly expected in modern conflicts, where satellite navigation can be degraded through electronic warfare or jamming.
The program will also advance perception, route planning, and decision-making capabilities for mixed fleets of autonomous military vehicles operating across both road networks and off-road terrain.
AI-Enabled Perception
German autonomous systems company Driveblocks GmbH will contribute AI-based perception and environmental awareness technologies to InterRoC VII.
Its software combines data from cameras and LiDAR sensors to create three-dimensional maps of the environment, identify objects and terrain, and support autonomous vehicle decision-making.
The technology is designed to operate in challenging off-road conditions, including dust, snow, dense vegetation, and low-visibility environments.
Demonstrating Autonomous Convoy Technology
Rheinmetall said technologies developed under InterRoC VII were recently demonstrated during the 2026 European Land Robot Trial in Thun, Switzerland.
The international event evaluates unmanned ground systems in realistic military scenarios. Rheinmetall said it achieved the highest score in the convoy scenarios category during this year’s trials.
Data and operational experience collected during the event will support future phases of the program, alongside cooperation with military organizations, research institutions, and industry partners.
Growing Interest
Military organizations are increasingly exploring autonomous logistics systems to reduce personnel exposure during resupply missions while improving operational efficiency.
Germany has developed the InterRoC series over multiple phases to examine how autonomous vehicles from different manufacturers can operate together.
The latest phase continues this work by focusing on advanced autonomy, resilient navigation, and coordination between heterogeneous vehicle fleets.
