On August 9, the Estonian manufacturer of unmanned vehicles, Milrem Robotics, announced the delivery of the TheMIS robot to the Spanish land forces (Ejército de Tierra). According to the release, the Spanish Ministry of Defense ordered one copy through the Directorate of Armaments and Equipment under the ‘Escorpion’ program. This program was launched in 2021 to evaluate the capabilities of existing unmanned ground vehicles. In the first phase, a list of tasks that can be performed by unmanned ground vehicles on the battlefield is to be defined.
– THeMIS has already proven itself in twelve countries, seven of which are NATO members, as an efficient, reliable and comprehensive system – boasts Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. – We are pleased that Spain has joined as the thirteenth user of the THeMIS system and chose Milrem Robotics as a partner to build its capabilities in the use of robotic and autonomous systems.
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THeMIS was tested in actual combat operations in Mali. The vehicle accompanied Estonian soldiers participating in Operation Barkhane. For a year, three Estonian platoons used the robot for typical reconnaissance tasks and increasing situational awareness while protecting against unnecessary risk.
In Spain, the concept of using unmanned and optionally manned land vehicles is gaining more and more popularity. Ejército de Tierra is currently running several programs to increase the degree of “robotization” of selected sub-units. The most interesting is the conversion of Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles and Castor engineering vehicles, from which it is planned to create optional manned vehicles. In turn, the “Escorpion” program is to ultimately allow the development of a whole family of remotely operated vehicles.
Meanwhile, the family of unmanned THeMISs is growing. This applies not only to the constantly growing number of users, but also to vehicle variants. The basic configuration is the transport version. Some of the soldiers’ additional equipment can go to the transport basket, and the robot can also tow a trailer. There is also a variant for transporting the wounded, a sapper robot for removing improvised explosives, and reconnaissance platforms.
The whole can be supplemented by numerous armed versions, providing direct fire support to soldiers. THeMIS can be equipped with a stabilized weapon module with machine guns of various calibers, automatic grenade launchers of 40 mm caliber, 30 mm autocannons and anti-tank guided missiles. During the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair in London, MBDA presented THeMIS with a six-container Brimstone missile launcher.
A closer look at that Brimstone @byMBDA on THeMIS @MilremR concept pic.twitter.com/pssaaeLBDG
– Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) September 13, 2019
Another product that Milrem Robotics is working on is the Type-X RCV (Robotic Combat Vehicle) autonomous tracked combat vehicle, which looks like a classic tank. The platform is equipped with a hybrid drive system consisting of electric and diesel engines. In June 2020, the Type-X RCV prototype integrated with the CPWS II turret was presented. The turret is compatible with 20-30 mm autocannons (the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster or the 30 mm M230LF Bushmaster II caliber are most often mounted). The turret also includes a 7.62 mm machine gun coupled to the gun and smoke grenade launchers. Additional weapons are two Spike, Javelin or MMP anti-tank missile launchers or Alcotán-100 grenade launchers by the Spanish company Instalaza.
It is worth mentioning that THeMIS unmanned vehicles are also being developed and tested in Poland. The most advanced and flagship project is the Perun armed unmanned platform, developed in cooperation with Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów, the Military University of Technology and the Stekop company. In September 2020, the vehicle was tested at the training ground in Giżycko. A year later, during tests, Perun traveled a distance of 50 kilometers in autonomous mode.
Type-X platform without turret.
(Milrem Robotics)
Perun is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon module, which can be fitted with a 7.62mm UKM 2000C machine gun, a 12.7mm large-caliber WKM-B machine gun, or non-lethal deterrent systems. The armament is complemented by a set of sensors, including a weather station, a contamination detector and a radiation sensor. Perun’s modes of work are also interesting. The first – stationary – allows operators to independently and from a safe place control the robot’s movement and weapons. The second – mobile (backpack) – consists in the fact that the operator moves together with the robot. Last year, Perun was integrated with the Pirate ATGM launcher.
In addition to Perun’s or TheMIS-class robots, machines similar in class and purpose to the Type-X RCV are dynamically developed. In May, BAE Systems unveiled an unmanned vehicle technology demonstrator based on the modified hull of the immortal M113 armored personnel carrier with the Arnold Defense LAND-LGR4 Fletcher missile launcher with laser guided APKWS missiles.
During the London defense industry show DSEI 2021, Milrem and Kongsberg announced the work on the project of a land loyal wingman – the Nordic Robotic Wingman. The combat weight of the vehicle will oscillate around 12 tons, and the dimensions are to allow for transport and landing from the deck of C-130 Hercules transport planes and transport under heavy helicopters. The drone’s hull is to be based on the Type-X RCV. The Nordic Robotic Wingman can be armed with a cannon up to 50 millimeters. This will be an answer to the changing battlefield, in particular the need to penetrate stronger armor of vehicles.
The current trend in the design of new generation combat vehicles is not only aimed at completely unmanned machines, but also optionally manned. This makes it possible not to expose the crews of such vehicles to unnecessary risk, for example during fighting in urban areas. An example is the American OMFV (Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle) program, which is to select a successor to the M2 / M3 Bradley vehicles. In the middle of the year, the program entered the competition phase for the design and construction of prototypes.
Five OMFV digital concept designs from Rheinmetall, BAE, GDLS, Oshkosh, PBE (not sorted by order). pic.twitter.com/KO0sv8CS75
– Ronkainen (@ ronkainen7k15) August 11, 2022
See also: The construction of the Qatari landing craft has started
Milrem Robotics
