San Francisco — Aurelius Systems has announced a strategic partnership with American Rheinmetall to integrate its Archimedes directed-energy platform onto robotic combat vehicles, aiming to provide mobile and autonomous protection against the growing threat of battlefield drones.
The collaboration combines Aurelius Systems' AI-enabled laser-based counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) technology with American Rheinmetall's unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platforms used for automated supply distribution. The integrated system is intended to protect logistics convoys and forward supply missions while reducing the need to expose personnel to high-risk environments.
The companies said the partnership is focused on accelerating the deployment of counter-drone capabilities that can operate alongside robotic vehicles delivering ammunition, fuel, medical supplies, and other critical equipment to troops operating at the tactical edge.
Archimedes Directed-Energy Platform
At the center of the partnership is Archimedes, Aurelius Systems' autonomous directed-energy platform designed to detect, track, identify, and defeat unmanned aerial systems using a high-power laser.
The system combines advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and directed-energy technology to autonomously detect, track, and engage aerial threats. It is built as a compact low-SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power and Cost) platform, allowing integration onto mobile vehicles while reducing the logistical burden compared with traditional missile-based air defense systems.
Unlike interceptor-based systems that require reloads, directed-energy systems can repeatedly engage drone targets as long as sufficient electrical power is available, making them suitable for countering multiple small drones.
Integration With American Rheinmetall Robotic Vehicles
American Rheinmetall will integrate the Archimedes system onto its robotic combat vehicle platforms developed for autonomous logistics missions.
These unmanned ground vehicles are designed to transport supplies to frontline units, operate in contested environments, and support autonomous or remotely controlled missions. By integrating the Archimedes laser system, the vehicles are expected to gain organic counter-drone protection while continuing supply operations in areas where unmanned aerial threats are increasingly common.
The integrated capability is intended to help maintain operational freedom of movement and keep supply routes open during military operations.
Demonstrations and Testing
The announcement follows several recent demonstrations of the Archimedes platform.
Last month, Aurelius displayed the integrated system during the Reindustrialize 2026 conference in Detroit, where the laser platform was mounted on a robotic combat vehicle developed in partnership with American Rheinmetall and Harbinger.
Earlier, Archimedes participated in the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 26-2 event at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, hosted by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.
During the trials, Aurelius stated that the system successfully tracked and engaged more than 20 quadcopter drones, including over five previously unseen drone models supplied by the U.S. Army to evaluate its autonomous tracking and targeting capabilities.
Addressing Battlefield Drone Threats
The partnership comes as military forces increasingly face attacks from low-cost commercial and military drones targeting personnel, logistics convoys, and critical infrastructure.
Mobile counter-drone systems integrated directly onto unmanned logistics vehicles allow supply platforms to defend themselves without relying solely on external air-defense assets. Directed-energy weapons also reduce the need to carry large numbers of interceptor missiles, helping lower operating costs and logistical requirements.
Neither Aurelius Systems nor American Rheinmetall announced a deployment schedule or production timeline for the integrated system. However, the partnership represents another step toward integrating autonomous ground vehicles with directed-energy counter-drone technology for future battlefield logistics operations.
Source: aureliussystems
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