Babcock International has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Digital Concepts Engineering (DCE) aimed at advancing the development and support of uncrewed ground systems for both UK and international defence customers.
The agreement will see Babcock, a provider of defence engineering services, and DCE, a specialist in robotic control systems and uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), combine expertise in the design, manufacture, integration, and through-life support of these technologies.
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The companies announced that the collaboration will focus on integrating DCE’s X-Series UGV and Marionette Universal Control System into wider defence applications.
DCE’s X-Series is a mid-sized UGV platform capable of transporting payloads between 150 and 500 kilograms and towing loads of up to three tonnes across difficult terrain.
The Marionette system allows the remote or autonomous conversion of existing vehicles, enabling armed forces to add robotic capability to current fleets.
Under the MoU, both companies intend to explore comprehensive support solutions, including training, logistics, integration, infrastructure, and operational support, with the aim of moving beyond standalone platforms to provide sustainable operational capabilities for customers.
The partnership was demonstrated at the 2026 edition of DVD, UK’s biennial land defence industry exhibition.
As part of the demonstration, Babcock’s digital ammunition rack was integrated with a DCE X-Series UGV.
The event highlighted the potential for autonomous resupply of mortar and artillery systems, alongside remote monitoring and management of ammunition and other logistics supplies.
Babcock’s Land and Mission Systems business chief executive Louise Atkinson said: “Autonomous systems are changing the way modern militaries operate – and as experts in manufacturing and systems integration, Babcock can leverage these capabilities to deliver operational advantage.
“By working with DCE, and as demonstrated with its integration into our mortar ecosystem at DVD, we’re bringing together complementary expertise to help develop and support the next generation of uncrewed ground systems for customers in the UK and around the world.”
