Subject: American Rheinmetall and Harbinger Motors Partnership for Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs)
Date: May 27, 2026
Poster: Chris Haag, Vice President for Business Development and Strategy, American Rheinmetall (LinkedIn Profile)
Key Facts:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Partnership Scope | Development and fielding of a family of robotic and uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) for the U.S. Department of War (DoW). |
| Roles | American Rheinmetall: Vehicle integration, mission systems, modular architecture. Harbinger Motors: Commercially based, autonomy-ready hybrid vehicle platform. |
| Target Programs | Autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles, contested-logistics resupply, and next-generation robotic platforms aligned with U.S. Army autonomy and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) priorities. |
| Technology Specs | Drive-by-wire, hybrid-electric platform with scalable battery architecture and range-extended hybrid powertrain (enabling silent watch, reduced thermal/acoustic signatures). |
| Timeline | Joint demonstrations scheduled for Summer 2026. |
| Procurement Pathways | Pursuing Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), and traditional programs of record. |
Company Profiles:
- American Rheinmetall: Led by CEO Matthew Warnick; HQ in Auburn Hills, MI. Facilities in MI, OH, ME, AR, TX, and VA. Specializes in combat vehicle integration and modular architecture (American Rheinmetall, n.d.).
- Harbinger Motors: Led by CEO John Harris and CTO Phillip Weicker; HQ in Garden Grove, CA. Vertically integrated manufacturer of medium-duty EV/hybrid platforms. Acquired Phantom AI (Feb 2026) for ADAS/autonomy integration (Harbinger Motors, 2026b). Raised $160M Series C co-led by FedEx, Capricorn, and THOR Industries (Nov 2025) (Harbinger Motors, 2025).
- Harbinger Defense Verticals: Operates through specialized divisions including Praesidia (Defense Platforms) and Potentia (Power Generation) (Harbinger Industries, n.d.).
References
American Rheinmetall. (n.d.). About American Rheinmetall. https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/company/subsidiaries/american-rheinmetall
GovCon Wire. (2025, October 31). Mike Milner, Chris Haag Take Key Roles at American Rheinmetall. https://www.govconwire.com/articles/american-rheinmetall-milner-haag-appointed
Harbinger Industries. (n.d.). Harbinger: 5 Verticals 1 Industrial Ecosystem. https://harbinger.industries/
Harbinger Motors. (2025, November 13). Harbinger Raises $160 Million in Series C Funding Co-Led by FedEx, Capricorn and THOR Industries. https://harbingermotors.com/newsroom/harbinger-raises-160-million-series-c-co-led-by-fedex/
Harbinger Motors. (2026a, May 27). American Rheinmetall and Harbinger Announce Partnership to Deliver Next-Generation Robotics and Uncrewed Ground Vehicles to the Department of War. https://harbingermotors.com/newsroom/american-rheinmetall-and-harbinger-announce-robotics-partnership/
Harbinger Motors. (2026b, February 25). Harbinger Acquires Autonomous Driving Company Phantom AI and Secures Licensing Agreement with ZF. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harbinger-acquires-autonomous-driving-company-phantom-ai-and-secures-licensing-agreement-with-zf-302696751.html
PR Newswire. (2026, May 27). American Rheinmetall and Harbinger Announce Partnership to Deliver Next-Generation Robotics and Uncrewed Ground Vehicles to the Department of War. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-rheinmetall-and-harbinger-announce-partnership-to-deliver-next-generation-robotics-and-uncrewed-ground-vehicles-to-the-department-of-war-302782702.html