Defense technology company V2X has introduced its new Tempest combat vehicle during the AUSA 2025 exposition. Designed for missions that demand high mobility and a low operational profile, Tempest is engineered to combine speed, survivability, and firepower in compact form.
The vehicle can detect, track, and neutralize Class 2 and Class 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) even in adverse weather conditions. Once it completes engagement, Tempest can swiftly reposition to evade counterattacks.
The prototype displayed at the exhibition was equipped with two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and a compact tactical radar suite. This radar system integrates air surveillance, hostile fire detection, and UAS tracking into a unified mission framework, capable of handling multiple operational tasks either simultaneously or sequentially.
According to V2X, Tempest is a rugged, commercially derived platform built around mobility, threat awareness, and autonomous or operator-directed targeting, leveraging proven off-the-shelf technologies.
The company is also offering a trailer-mounted variant of the Tempest system for semi-fixed defense operations such as base protection or airfield perimeter security. Its modular radar component allows smooth transition between mobile and stationary roles without losing situational awareness.
Company officials at AUSA highlighted that the Tempest’s radar suite delivers exceptional performance across diverse threat environments. Its threat library enables classification of drones, indirect fire, and manned aircraft, providing flexible 3D surveillance and cueing for both kinetic and electronic countermeasures.
The integration of Hellfire missile launchers enhances the vehicle’s lethality within a compact, mobile UAS defense setup. The configuration is tailored for short-duration “shoot-and-scoot” operations, allowing Tempest to strike and quickly relocate before enemy forces can react.
