Renault Group and John Cockerill unveil electric unmanned ground vehicle

Renault Group and John Cockerill have introduced the Forefront Concept, a modular, all-electric ground platform. The project merges Renault’s automotive manufacturing and electrification capabilities with John Cockerill’s background in defense systems, remote operation, and autonomous navigation.

Featuring four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, the vehicle is designed for mobility in hazardous terrain. It targets a range of approximately 400 kilometers and a payload capacity of up to one tonne. The companies state that the modular design is intended to facilitate cost-effective, large-scale industrial production, aiming to support applications ranging from logistics and surveillance to disaster relief.

While the current iteration relies on remote operation, the developers are working on scalable autonomy solutions. Upcoming trials with the French armed forces are scheduled to provide operational feedback to refine the system’s design and capabilities.