Perth, Australia — Thales Australia and Newcastle-based 3ME Technology have unveiled BladeHAUL, a new extra-large uncrewed ground vehicle (XL-UGV), at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition in Perth.
Built around key features of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV), BladeHAUL is a self-propelled, hybrid, heavy-duty, off-road vehicle designed for logistics, mobile power and other defence missions. It is manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria, using the Bushmaster production line, and at 3ME Technology facilities in Newcastle, New South Wales.
10-Tonne Payload and Logistics
BladeHAUL can operate under remote control or autonomously and carry a 20-foot container and up to 10 tonnes of payload. The companies say this exceeds the capacity of any existing or planned Australian UGV. Its flatbed has shipping-container locks for containerised payloads.
The vehicle is intended for resupply, casualty evacuation and other frontline logistics missions, allowing personnel to operate it remotely.
Mobile Power and Mission Roles
BladeHAUL can function as a hybrid mobile power source, supplying power remotely to field hospitals, communications systems and other equipment, or operating as a standalone generator.
It can carry sensors and effectors for reconnaissance and surveillance, with planned roles including C-UAS, radar, coastal and littoral defence, air defence, maritime strike support and mine clearance. Mine-clearance configurations can use front-mounted mine rollers or a dozer-style blade.
Power, Range and Autonomy
Technical details displayed at Land Forces 2026 include a 3ME 660-volt power system, 110 kWh battery capacity and a range of more than 600 kilometres. BladeHAUL can be transported by A400M, C-17 and C-130 aircraft and can also be configured as a fully electric vehicle.
Its autonomous system supports independent navigation to a designated location and follow-the-leader mode. Further autonomy development is planned through a memorandum of understanding with Deakin University.
3ME Technology
BladeHAUL incorporates 3ME's BladeVOLT energy-storage systems, BladeDRIVE hybrid-electric propulsion and BladeNET vehicle-control architecture. BladeVOLT includes Gen 2 batteries previously proven in underground mining.
Development also draws on the Stealthmaster hybrid Bushmaster demonstrator and EdgeVOLT deployable power systems. 3ME CEO Justin Bain said these technologies represent more than eight years of development and were brought together for BladeHAUL during the past six months.
Australian Army Trials
Andrew Downes, Thales Vice President for Land and Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, said the vehicle draws on lessons from the extensive use of uncrewed systems in Ukraine and is intended for resupply, casualty evacuation and frontline logistics while keeping personnel at a safer distance.
Australian Army trials are expected in the new year, with BladeHAUL planned to participate in the next Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Thales-3ME Partnership
Jeff Connolly, CEO of Thales Australia and New Zealand, said:
“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.”
Bain said the partnership combines 3ME's systems engineering and platform-development capabilities with the Bushmaster's proven performance and established manufacturing base. He also described BladeHAUL as an important milestone bringing together BladeVOLT, BladeDRIVE and BladeNET in one platform.
Bushmaster and Australian Industry
The Bushmaster is in service with nine countries, including Australia and Ukraine. In April 2026, the Australian government committed $750 million to Thales Australia for 268 next-generation Bushmaster PMVs.
Thales employs around 4,500 people across 35 sites in Australia and supports more than 2,000 additional jobs through its supply chain.
BladeHAUL combines the established Bushmaster mobility platform with Australian-developed hybrid power, propulsion, vehicle control and autonomous systems for logistics, power generation and other defence applications.
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