A Diehl Defence uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) has successfully launched Spike LR guided missiles for the first time during a five-day firing test.
The Ziesel UGV fired a total of 17 anti-tank guided missiles, validating the platform’s structural load-bearing capacity under live-fire conditions.
It marked a milestone achieved three months after the Ziesel, fitted with the Spike launcher, debuted at Enforce Tac 2025 in Nürnberg.
The trials were conducted by Diehl Defence together with Israeli manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and EuroSpike GmbH, a joint venture between Rafael and German companies Rheinmetall Electronics and Diehl Defence.
Following the successful tests, the companies plan further demonstrations and continued development of the concept.
Ziesel UGV
The Ziesel is a “revised platform” with upgrades over its predecessors. It has several variants, including logistics, casualty evacuation, and effector carrier roles.
Measuring 1.6 by 1.3 meters (5.2 by 4.3 feet) with a payload capacity of more than 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), the vehicle can operate at speeds of up to 12 miles (20 kilometers) per hour on electric drive.
It is equipped with Diehl Defence’s PLATON autonomy kit, enabling the UGV to navigate obstacles on its own and operate without relying on active sensors that are susceptible to enemy detection and jamming.
The Ziesel UGV is operational and currently undergoing active testing and evaluation with several armed forces, including in Germany and Ukraine.
