German defense company Diehl Defence has successfully completed the first live-fire trials of Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles launched from its Ziesel uncrewed ground vehicle, marking a significant step in the development of autonomous combat systems for future battlefields. During the five-day testing campaign, the Ziesel platform fired 17 Spike LR missiles to validate the vehicle’s structural durability, recoil management, and operational stability under combat firing conditions. The trials were carried out in cooperation with Israeli defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and EuroSpike GmbH, the joint venture involving Rafael, Rheinmetall Electronics, and Diehl Defence. The achievement comes only three months after the Spike-equipped Ziesel configuration was unveiled at Enforce Tac 2025 in Nürnberg. The lightweight electric-powered UGV is equipped with Diehl’s PLATON autonomy suite, enabling obstacle navigation and low-signature operations without relying heavily on detectable active sensors. Designed for multiple missions including logistics, casualty evacuation, and direct combat support, the Ziesel is currently undergoing operational testing with several armed forces, including military users in Germany and Ukraine.
