Insider Brief
- VisionWave Holdings (Nasdaq: VWAV) announced plans to begin European field testing in December 2025 for its Varan UGV, a next-generation autonomous and modular ground vehicle platform developed for multi-domain defense operations.
- Designed as a force multiplier, the Varan combines 4D radar, AI-driven autonomy, and a proprietary suspension system to deliver swarm coordination, terrain dominance, and mission-specific modularity—from counter-UAS defense to casualty evacuation.
- Built in the UK under Head of Ground Vehicle Development Jez Williman, the Varan marks VisionWave’s entry into the ground autonomy revolution, aiming to redefine modern battlefield logistics and survivability.
PRESS RELEASE — VisionWave Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: VWAV) (“VisionWave” or the “Company”) today announced the upcoming field testing of its Varan UGV, a next-generation, highly autonomous and modular ground platform engineered from the ground up with the goal to transform the modern battlefield. Testing is scheduled to begin in December 2025 in Europe with a major defense industry partner, pursuant to all required regulatory approvals.
The Varan represents a fundamental shift in defence innovation – a response to the new reality where a small, inexpensive drone can neutralize a heavily armoured vehicle. As the balance of power shifts from traditional armour to autonomous intelligence, the Varan stands at the forefront of what many are calling the next drone revolution – only this time, on the ground.
The name, inspired by the Varan lizard, reflects its instinctive ability to move with precision, remain undetected, and dominate any terrain through AI-driven autonomy.
Built as a true force multiplier, the Varan is designed to deliver exceptional mobility, adaptability and modularity. Its proprietary drive train employs independently actuated suspension legs, combining the agility of robotic platforms with the speed of wheeled vehicles and the terrain dominance of tracked systems.
Powered by VisionWave’s cutting-edge 4D radar and proprietary autonomous navigation engine, the Varan operates both individually and in coordinated swarms, navigating complex terrain, avoiding obstacles, and detecting ground and aerial threats in real time.
The platform’s mission-adaptable modularity allows rapid reconfiguration with a variety of payloads, including:
- Counter-UAS modules for air-threat interception and perimeter defence
- Active Protection Systems (APS) for vehicle survivability
- Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for tactical engagement
- Troop and supply transport configurations
- CASEVAC modules for casualty evacuation and battlefield medical support.
Available in electric and hybrid variants, the Varan is optimized for stealth, endurance, and rapid deployment—delivering autonomy, reduced logistical footprint and cost efficiency compared with any comparable system in development today.
Developed by VisionWave’s UK engineering team under the leadership of Jez Williman, Head of Ground Vehicle Development, the Varan was designed and built in Britain using scalable, interoperable architecture to support mass production and multi-domain integration.
“The Varan represents a new generation of battlefield intelligence,” said Noam Kenig, Chief Executive Officer of VisionWave. “It’s more than a vehicle – it’s a living system of automation and adaptability. As one of the participants in early autonomous vehicle research projects that contributed to the broader ecosystem later showcased in the DARPA Grand Challenge – the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency competition that pioneered modern self-driving systems – it feels like a full-circle moment to see how far autonomous mobility has advanced. As UGVs become the next great evolution of unmanned warfare, Varan stands ready to lead that revolution.”
Jez Williman, Head of Ground Vehicle Development, added: “We designed the Varan entirely from the ground up as a true autonomous vehicle – every system, actuator, and algorithm developed in-house to achieve extreme terrain capability, reliability, and serviceability.
The result is a compact, interoperable platform with anticipated multi-hit lightweight armour pending formal ballistic certification, simplified maintenance, and exceptional scalability across mission types. Whether deployed as a single unit or within a swarm, the Varan adapts instantly – from reconnaissance to resupply to defence. This is autonomy you can trust, maintain, and multiply.”
The upcoming European field trials will demonstrate the Varan’s swarm coordination, modular payload integration, and all-terrain endurance, positioning VisionWave as a global leader in autonomous multi-domain defence innovation.
Varan is the first in a family of next-generation ground autonomy systems currently in development at VisionWave.
Image: VisionWave artist rendition
