Sweden has officially purchased the RIPSAW M3 robotic ground vehicle, becoming the first country in Europe to adopt the cutting-edge unmanned platform from Textron Systems. The acquisition demonstrates Sweden’s push toward advanced autonomous systems that can enhance battlefield awareness, mobility, and survivability in future operations.
A member of Textron’s proven RIPSAW series, the M3 variant is built as a modular, hybrid-electric robotic vehicle capable of integrating payloads and autonomy tools quickly. Its rugged construction, combined with composite rubber tracks and high ground clearance, enables the platform to operate effectively in harsh environments while supporting a wide range of mission profiles.
The RIPSAW M3 weighs 14,800 pounds (6,711 kg) and can haul up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), providing substantial lift capacity for sensors, weapons, and other battlefield systems. It offers 10 kW of onboard power, along with a 63-square-foot (5.85-square-meter) deck area at a height of 48 inches (1.22 m), giving operators flexibility to install mission-tailored equipment.
Designed for roles such as reconnaissance and light combat support, the robotic vehicle measures 206 by 80 inches (5.23 by 2.03 meters) and can exceed 30 mph (48 km/h). The RIPSAW M3 has already gained traction in the United States, having been chosen in March for the US Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program, signaling strong future adoption across allied forces.
