Thales and 3ME Technology unveil BladeHAUL, a giant military logistics robot

A hybrid and autonomous platform for logistics

BladeHAUL is described by the two companies as a self-propelled, hybrid, all-terrain vehicle intended for heavy loads. It incorporates key characteristics of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. According to the press release, it was designed to exceed all comparable existing or planned vehicles in terms of payload capacity and operational flexibility.

The platform is intended for a wide range of logistics missions and containerized payloads. It combines on a single chassis advanced autonomy enabling man-machine teamwork, hybrid power, heavy payload capacity and an energy production function.

The Bushmaster associated with 3ME Technology systems

The project combines the industrial base of the Bushmaster, a vehicle used by nine countries according to Thales, and the energy, hybrid propulsion and control systems of 3ME Technology, an Australian specialist in lithium-ion batteries and electric traction systems. Justin Bain, Chief Executive Officer of 3ME Technology, indicated that BladeHAUL brings together on a single platform the company's three technological building blocks: BladeVOLT, BladeDRIVE and BladeNET.

The executive linked the launch to demand for logistics in contested environments and remote power supply for coastal zones, which he described as "present and growing". Jeff Connolly, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Australia and New Zealand, declared that the vehicle aims to meet the "diverse and evolving needs" of the Australian armed forces.

Thales employs approximately 4,500 people in Australia, spread across 35 sites. At group level, revenue stood at 22.1 billion euros in 2025.