German engine maker teams up on U.S. autonomous vehicle

German famed engine maker DEUTZ has signed an agreement to expand its work with Hypercraft, a Provo, Utah, defense technology company, on the Razorback, an autonomous ground vehicle, DEUTZ said Monday. DEUTZ already supplies the combustion engines for Razorback and will now study adding hybrid, battery and other energy systems to the platform.

DEUTZ Business Unit Defense CEO Marco Herre said the companies’ strengths complement each other, with Hypercraft’s software architecture paired against DEUTZ’s engine and hybrid-electric experience.

“DEUTZ contributes extensive experience in engines, hybrid-electric systems, and defense vehicle integration at scale. Together, we will develop innovative and reliable solutions for defense customers globally,” said Marco Herre, DEUTZ Business Unit Defense CEO.

The two companies are also weighing joint development of future platforms and considering final assembly of Hypercraft vehicles for the European market at a DEUTZ production site, according to the memorandum of understanding. Hypercraft would contribute research and development resources and its military customer network; DEUTZ would provide its global service network, which spans more than 1,000 sites in over 180 countries.

The agreement builds on a partnership that started with engines and is now moving toward a broader defense business for DEUTZ, which is establishing defense as a fourth core segment alongside its engines, energy and new-technology divisions.

Hypercraft launched the Razorback in April. The vehicle carries a 2,400-pound payload, covers up to 280 miles on a diesel hybrid-electric powertrain and exports up to 38 kilowatts of power, enough to charge drones, run directed-energy weapons or sustain a forward command post. Four independent electric motors combine for 300 horsepower and a top speed of 60 mph, and the Defence Blog reported the redundant motor design lets the vehicle keep moving if one or more motors are damaged. Hypercraft demonstrated the vehicle at South Valley Regional Airport in Utah in early August for government and defense officials.

The Razorback is built to run without a crew on missions including contested resupply, casualty evacuation, electronic warfare relay and countering small drones. Its low-signature design is meant to give it 360-degree protection against Group 1 and 2 unmanned aircraft, the U.S. military’s classification for smaller, slower drones. Hypercraft has separately partnered with Fortem Technologies to mount Fortem’s TrueView radar and drone-mitigation system onto the platform.

“Razorback isn’t just a vehicle, it’s the new tactical standard,” said Brian Bowers, Hypercraft CEO.

DEUTZ’s move into Razorback comes as the company pursues a larger defense push. It recently raised about €179 million ($206 million) through a share sale and won German antitrust approval for a separate acquisition, moves the company has linked to building out its defense business.

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