Automation of military vehicles has spread to all areas. Vehicles are able to travel relatively unhindered in the air or on the water. Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), especially off-road ones, have trouble steering clear of a variety of obstacles and challenges on land. The standard is high because ground robotics must perform tasks while ensuring an uninterrupted and uncompromised mission.
Despite the difficulties, militaries have continued to Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market capabilities. Although ground automation technology is not yet at the stage where commanders could build operations around it, Uncrewed vehicles are appealing due to their adaptability and capacity to rescue people from danger. They are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and capabilities to serve a variety of purposes.
Europe's Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) and its partner Israel Aerospace Industries/ELTA Systems (IAI/ELTA) participated in practical tests conducted by the German Armed Forces, Bundeswehr, on the ELTA Systems REX MK-II combat UGVs.
A representative of IAI informs Global Defense Technology: It proved to be a particularly adaptable and durable UGV that could support dismounted ground forces in carrying out their missions and significantly improve the platoon's performance.
The Fraunhofer Institute and the German Army Concepts and Capabilities Development Centre invited IAI/ELTA to participate in the training as part of a study called "UGV to support dismounted forces, also known as Cargo Mule."
The official elaborates, "The Bundeswehr had the opportunity to test the driving autonomy of the REX MK-II and enjoy the UGV's adaptability during the field trial."
In September, the third and final test in the series focused on the UGV's participation in live-fire training.
The company claims that the platform was made to carry out a variety of tasks, such as carrying and activating various payloads, equipment, and quickly recovering wounded soldiers. The electric hybrid system enables a range of 300 kilometers or 70 kilometers in electric stealth mode, and the highly maneuverable UGV can carry up to 1.25 tons of payload.
According to IAI/ELTA, the company has adapted its AI-based robotic and autonomous solutions to meet current and potential threats.
The official from the company adds, "We believe that the next phase in military robotics, with UGVs and UAVs operating as an integral part of the combat team, contributing a high level of mission autonomy and accuracy."
The Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) oversees yet another significant UGV program in Europe.
Since 2020, the organization has been conducting research as part of project Theseus into the possibility of utilizing autonomous and remote-controlled systems for resupply operations in order to enhance the Army's capability and utility.
The MOD also bought three Viking UGVs from Horiba Mira and three Titan UGVs from QinetiQ in 2020. The Viking can carry a payload of up to 600 kilograms, while the Titan can carry a payload of 750 kilograms. Both vehicles can run on an electric battery or in a diesel-electric hybrid mode.
The goal of the program is to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of using UGVs. The acquisition of systems necessary to meet the Joint Tactical Autonomous Resupply and Replenishment project capability will be less risky as a result of this. The tests will also help the army learn more about how to use more advanced autonomous system capabilities in the future.
