DCE and ARX Robotics working to bring UGVs back to the UK

Front view of the DCE Xseries Universal Carrier UGVs showcased at DVD 2026. (Janes/Sean Reardon)

The British Army's procurement of Digital Concepts Engineering (DCE) X3 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and the unveiling of an ARX Robotics concept pairing the Hector UGV with the Ajax armoured vehicle highlighted the UK's focus on operational deployment of UGVs at the DVD exhibition, held from 16-17 September 2026.

The X3 procurement marks the UK's first operational acquisition of a UGV fleet following almost a decade of experimentation with autonomous logistics and robotics systems. Meanwhile, ARX Robotics and General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDLS UK) used the exhibition to outline a potential manned-unmanned teaming concept combining Ajax with UGVs equipped for reconnaissance and counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) roles.

DCE X3

Introduced in 2024, the X3 is the latest development of DCE's X-series UGV family. In June 2026, DCE announced that the British Army had ordered 15 X-series Universal Carrier UGVs. Also designated the X3W Mk 3.0 Universal Carrier, the platform is a modular light UGV weighing 480 kg and measuring 1.35 m in length, 1.01 m in width, and 0.55 m in height, excluding payloads.

The UGV has an operational range of 42 km and can tow more than 3,000 kg, according to the company. The platform was designed to support logistics missions including cargo resupply and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). However, considering its towing capacity it could tow trailers and carry out the recovery of small and medium-sized platforms.