Quantum Systems has unveiled its latest unmanned ground vehicle at Enforce Tac 2026, positioning the platform as a modular, scalable solution for modern battlefield demands.
The vehicle named MANDRILL has been introduced in Nuremberg, Germany. It is designed not as a single-purpose machine but as a configurable combat support platform capable of shifting roles without replacing the entire vehicle.
The debut signals a broader shift in defense procurement thinking, which is why the field needs multiple specialized vehicles when one adaptable system could perform all of them.
MANDRILL enters the defense robotics market with a clear proposition, i.e., one chassis, countless missions. The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) can be configured for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW), logistics transport, casualty evacuation, engineering support, and even drone launch-and-recovery operations.
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Instead of relying on mission-specific builds, MANDRILL operates through modular payload integration. Units can swap sensor arrays, communication modules, medical evacuation kits, or towing systems as needed. The shift between configurations does not require factory-level modification, reducing downtime and logistical strain.
This flexibility addresses a growing need among armed forces for rapid redeployment capability across evolving combat environments.
MANDRILL is available in two configurations: a long variant measuring 3.7 meters and a compact variant measuring 2.9 meters. The vehicle weighs approximately 1,190 kilograms and supports a payload capacity of up to 750 kilograms. It enables it to carry mission-critical equipment across varied terrains.
Power comes from dual 150-kilowatt electric motors. It allows the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Such mobility gives commanders a rapid-response tool that can arrive ahead of traditional ground logistics convoys.
Two selectable battery configurations extend operational range to as much as 200 kilometers per charge. For electric military platforms, range has been a limiting factor.
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Quantum Systems appears to have prioritized endurance alongside performance. It also ensures the UGV can operate in sustained missions far from maintenance infrastructure.
The drivetrain and reinforced structural frame are engineered for heavy-duty tasks. The tasks include towing disabled vehicles, hauling supplies, or supporting field engineering operations.
While the hardware specifications are notable, the system’s software architecture may be its most strategic feature. MANDRILL runs on MOSAIC UXS. It is a modular software suite designed to coordinate unmanned systems across air, land, and maritime domains.
The open architecture allows operators to integrate new sensors, effectors, and subsystems without extensive redesign. In real terms, a vehicle configured for ISR operations one week can transition into a logistics or EW role the next, with software managing system integration rather than mechanical overhaul.
This layered approach bridges hardware and digital flexibility, both valued in multi-domain operations.
Hendrik Kramer, head of the ground robotics domain at Quantum Systems, outlined the platform’s strategic intent. “With MANDRILL, we are laying the foundation for a powerful and scalable family of systems in the ground-based sector,” Kramer said. “Our aim is not to develop a single vehicle, but to create a modular, networked ecosystem that can be flexibly adapted to the requirements of modern deployment scenarios.”
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His remarks highlight a systems-engineering philosophy centered on scalability rather than specialization. Instead of optimizing separate vehicles for isolated missions, the company has designed a core robotic backbone that expands through configurable modules and networked software.
Defense budgets face pressure to maximize capability while minimizing fleet diversity. Platforms like MANDRILL raise the question of how many vehicles one adaptable UGV could replace.
If a single ground robotics platform can effectively cover ISR, EW, medevac, logistics, and engineering roles, militaries may streamline supply chains, training programs, and maintenance operations.
With its Enforce Tac 2026 debut, Quantum Systems has positioned MANDRILL not merely as a new unmanned vehicle but as a foundation for a broader ground robotics ecosystem.
