The Australian government is bankrolling the research and development of an autonomous tank equipped with 5G technology to help fight the nation’s bushfires. Dubbed the “fire tank,” the machine will be tasked with traversing highly treacherous terrains to support missions involving firefighting, path clearing, and rescue. The federal government awarded the $1.5 million (US$1.1 million) grant to Rheinmetall Defence Australia, a subsidiary of German-headquartered Rheinmetall Group specialising in defence and security technology. Based on the German Army’s Marder tank design, the fire tank will be operated by establishing a drone-based 5G communication relay using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said that Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company, would be supporting Rheinmetall in providing a 5G network to the tank. “Rheinmetall is pleased to be partnering with Telstra and is looking forward to commencing tests at MILVEHCOE, our state-of-the-art facility in South East Queensland,” Stewart …