Razorback military drone has 450 km range, autonocion.com reports

A two-ton unmanned ground vehicle capable of carrying more than 1,000 kilograms at speeds approaching 100 kilometers per hour changes how the military handles autonomous transport, autonocion.com reported. With a payload capacity of approximately 1,090 kilograms (2,400 pounds), a driving range of about 450 kilometers on a full charge, and a maximum speed near 97 kilometers per hour, the platform is designed to operate without being a combat car or a science fiction robot.

Engineering the Cabinless Razorback

The Razorback, engineered by the Utah-based firm Hypercraft in Provo, operates without a cabin, windshield, or driver seat. When operating on battery power, its acoustic signature is minimal, and its thermal signature remains below 15 °C above ambient temperature, making it ideal for eluding infrared sensors.

Hybrid Architecture and Torque Vectoring

Rather than driving the wheels mechanically, an onboard diesel engine functions as a range extender, delivering 50 kilowatts of continuous power and up to 95 kilowatts of peak power to recharge the 400-volt, 42-kilowatt-hour battery pack while the vehicle is in motion.

This layout enables torque vectoring, allowing the onboard computer to distribute power individually to each wheel depending on surface conditions such as mud, sand, or steep gradients. The redundant motor setup permits the vehicle to continue operating even if a motor sustains direct battle damage.

Mobile Tactical Microgrid Capabilities

Beyond basic transport, the platform functions as a mobile tactical microrred. The vehicle can export 38 kilowatts of electrical power to supply frontline equipment, including drones, radar installations, and communication arrays.

DEUTZ AG Evaluates Hypercraft Systems for European Production

The path toward European manufacturing involves DEUTZ AG, an established German manufacturer ready to produce the vehicle in Europe. Through its NewTech unit, which specializes in hybrid powertrains, battery systems, and power electronics, DEUTZ is evaluating Hypercraft systems for potential production. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a framework for assembling and validating the platforms at a DEUTZ facility in Europe, using a service network of over 1,000 locations across more than 180 countries. DEUTZ already supplies combustion engines to Hypercraft, and DEUTZ evaluates these hybrid, battery, and energy systems since they represent the precise components that define the Razorback’s performance.

Outlook for Military Integration

Future military integration across Europe depends on whether major defense forces adopt the platform, raising the question of to what extent the civilian automotive industry—with DEUTZ acting as a bridge—will end up manufacturing the autonomous weaponry of the future.