MBDA Missile Systems and Milrem Robotics unveiled the world’s first anti-tank unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at IDEX 2019, the main defense industry event in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The debut of the system’s advanced concept comes only eight months after Milrem Robotics and MBDA announced the start of feasibility studies of the system.
The joint project integrates the Milrem Robotics THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) unmanned ground vehicle with the MBDA IMPACT (Integrated MMP Precision Attack Combat Turret) system fitted with two MMP 5th generation battlefield engagement missiles and a self-defence machine gun.
“This combination of two of the most modern technologies in their field is a very good example how robotic warfare systems will bring disruption to the battlefield and make some traditional technologies obsolete,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.
“Our unmanned land combat system under study together with MBDA will be very efficient in keeping our troops safe and significantly increasing the capability to fight main battle tanks as well as any other ground target,” Väärsi added.
The remotely operated land combat warfare system can be deployed by soldiers while they remain at a safe distance, using either a wireless or a tethered connection.
Additionally, as one of the challenges in urban warfare is keeping anti-tank infantry hidden from the enemy’s surveillance equipment which can easily detect soldier’s heat signature this joint integration system addresses the issue, having a low heat and noise signature so it can remain undetected until its mission is complete.
(See the Unique THeMIS UGV with Protector RWS: Modular Design • Open Architecture • Rapid Reconfiguration • Hybrid Diesel – Electric Drive • Low Noise Signature • Stable with Low Center of Gravity • Multi-Mission Capable • Robust and Reliable. Courtesy of Milrem Robotics and YouTube. Posted on Jan 16, 2019.)
“Being delivered to the French Army since the end of 2017, the MMP system is now deployed by the French forces in theatre, where it replaces the Milan and Javelin missiles.”
“With fully digitalized functions of observation, targeting, positioning and guidance, the MMP system is perfectly suited for integration on vehicles, including remotely operated ones,” added Francis Bordachar, Military Advisor Land Products at MBDA.
(See More of the capabilities of Milrem Robotics. Courtesy of Milrem Robotics and YouTube. Posted on Jun 10, 2018.)
MBDA, jointly owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%), and Leonardo (25%), offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.
The MBDA MMP is a latest-generation land combat missile is a lightweight “fire-and-forget” missile with a 4km + range, featuring a state-of-the-art dual mode seeker (uncooled infrared and visible color channels).
The MMP is also providing a two-way data link enabling a “man-in-the-loop” control and damage assessment through real-time video received by the gunner from the cameras fitted in the missile’s seeker.
MMP operator can therefore engage hidden targets or targets beyond line of sight, providing an unmatched accuracy and minimizing the risk of collateral damage.
(The MMP’s ability to engage targets beyond direct line of sight by means of a network-centric enabled tablet computer, or via images relayed by micro-UAVs, allowing the MMP to operate in symbiosis with coordination systems and field sensors. Courtesy of MBDA and YouTube. Posted on Nov 14, 2018.)
