15/06/2026 | Press release

Barricades, minefields and complex obstacles are among the greatest challenges facing modern land operations. Combat involving and centred on barricades is one of the most dangerous tasks on today’s battlefield. At Euroatory 2026, Rheinmetall will be presenting the MV-8 KOMODO Unmanned Breaching System
(UBS). Developed for use in modern threat scenarios, this unmanned ground vehicle enables remote clearance whilst significantly reducing the risk to friendly forces. In this way, the MV-8 KOMODO enhances the mobility and effectiveness of friendly forces and makes a significant contribution to increasing protection, mobility and effectiveness on the battlefield of the future.

Groundbreaking cooperation

The vehicle combines Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise in engineering technology with DOK.ING’s proven unmanned platform technologies and the highly specialised clearance capabilities of Pearson Engineering. The remotely operated unmanned mine clearance system is based on the DOKING KOMODO MV-8. This is designed to integrate various military capabilities onto a single unmanned platform. It thus significantly reduces the risk to soldiers operating in highly dangerous environments. The modular unmanned platform features a fully integrated 350 kW diesel-electric hybrid drive. The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of up to 15.5 tonnes, a payload of 8.5 tonnes and can reach speeds of up to 55 km/h.

As a robust, off-road and all-weather capable system, it combines mechanical performance, modularity, digital control technology and an open architecture for future autonomous enhancements. With the planned integration of Rheinmetall’s PATH-A-Kit, the system will gain additional autonomous and semi-autonomous functions. This will develop the MV-8 KOMODO into a future-proof platform for highly dynamic and digitalised operational scenarios.

Mechanical and explosive-assisted mine clearance possible

By combining mechanical and explosive-assisted clearance methods, the MV-8 KOMODO can overcome a wide variety of obstacles and minefields and create safe routes of movement for following forces. For mine clearance operations, the MV-8 KOMODO is equipped with the mine plough from Pearson Engineering. This renders mines harmless through mechanical soil displacement. The clear and safe passageway created in this way is marked by a mine lane marking system (Lane Marking System, LMS). Survivability can be further enhanced through the use of a magnetic field duplicator, which causes magnetically triggered mines to detonate prematurely.
Optionally, the rocket-assisted Plofadder detonation cord system can be fitted to the UBS. This fires a mine-clearing ladder across the minefield and detonates the mines laid within its effective range. In this way, Plofadder can create a 160-metre-long and nine-metre-wide mine lane.

Future autonomous capabilities

The MV-8 KOMODO enables the integration of unmanned capabilities into the combat formation and supports armed forces in carrying out missions faster, more safely and with less risk to their own personnel.
In the next phase of system development, the MV-8 KOMODO will be equipped with Rheinmetall’s PATH A-Kit, which offers advanced autonomous and semi-autonomous functions.
Once integrated, this capability enables autonomous waypoint navigation with real-time obstacle avoidance, ‘Follow-Me’ and resupply modes for convoy operations, leader-follower functions with cooperative control of up to 10 vehicles, as well as AI-supported sensor fusion and situational awareness. This ensures mission safety and reliability under all conditions, including environments without GNSS reception. This upgrade path ensures that the UBS remains a future-proof platform that can be adapted to evolving mission requirements.