Ukraine is currently testing its new ground combat drone, ‘Ironclad’, at the front lines.
Designed primarily for assault operations and front-line fire support as reported by Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation.
Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov was quoted as saying, “This is a revolutionary product from Ukrainian engineers from Roboneers, which changes the approach to warfare and helps save the most valuable thing – the lives of our soldiers.”
This drone is a testament to Ukraine’s commitment to pioneering ground combat unmanned platforms. Interestingly, the design and development of “Ironclad” commenced prior to the full-scale Russian invasion.
Fedorov further elaborated on the drone’s capabilities: “The machine develops a speed of up to 20 kilometers, is equipped with a thermal imaging camera and a combat turret ShaBlia [“Sabre”] M2. It also has an armored carapace that protects against small arms. Ironclad can be controlled remotely from a safe place.”
Ironclad was crafted to undertake combat operations under extreme climatic conditions. While the initial model was introduced in 2018, the latest version displays noticeable upgrades. These include larger wheels, a redesigned body shape, an advanced combat module, and dedicated cargo space.
You can read more by clicking here.
We all knew it was coming. Could this be next:
terminator t1 – Bing images
Not forgetting there are at least three other readily available unmanned ground combat vehicles that are either in development or available. Which are the Ripsaw M5, Milrem Type X and our very own BAe Black Knight.
RIPSAW M5 | Textron Systems
Type-X – Milrem (milremrobotics.com)
BAE Black Knight Tank: Unmanned Ground Vehicle | Military Machine
Good idea, but I can’t help thinking a ten bob RPG would scrap it. How many ready rounds does it carry? Can the weapons mount be configured for, say, a 20mm cannon? Would it be susceptible to CUAV technology? As I say, a good idea and anything that saves UKR lives is a bonus.
I wonder what new innovations we can expect to see in future.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/34/ac/02/34ac024c5fe5579cc1270e32f06efa56.jpg
I think even a heavy machine gun (50 cal?) will outrange an RPG. That may not be all that awesome in an urban environment, but I’m sure there will be places this could be used to advantage. Alas I don’t speak Ukrainian, but even the pictures on here give a good idea of things like size the remote control and what it looks like inside the trailer.
Great video- thank you for sharing- the vehicles look relatively robust, the articulation in the chassis will aid traversing broken and shell pocketed ground. If they have no internal combustion engine and are battery powered that will also aid acoustic detection and reduce infrared heat signature.
I was wondering if something similar might be of use to 16AABCT, looks as if it is light enough for air/rotor transport etc. The points you make are valid ones, personally would like to see a cannon of some description on it, but interchangeable loads would be a bonus I’m sure.
It would work well with a couple of 134 miniguns ,that combination would present a bad day on the receiving end.
https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/products/unmanned-vehicles/unmanned-vehicles/mission-master-a-ugv
2 Yorks are using this. And as Dern has said, he saw these on exercise back in 2019/2020.
16 AA Bde will be the 1st brigade planned to have these types, in “human machine team fielding”
Morning mate.
My reply went into moderation with a link, so look up “Rheinmetall Mission Master”
2 Yorks are using this. And as Dern has said, he saw these on exercise back in 2019/2020.
16 AA Bde will be the 1st brigade planned to have these types, in “human machine team fielding”
Cheer Daniele, an interesting read, glad to see we are not totally out of the UGV game and are exploring options as it were.
Wasn’t aware the one in the pic was actually so small until Farouk posted about it.
Is that Ulya back then is it? Seen one or two posts over the last month or so.
I have never stopped reading, this can be interesting
I would have to agree, almost always interesting/informative.
Yet another briliant idea from Ukraine!
👍
A ten bob RPG might scrap or at least immobilise an oldish tank, IFV or APC, let alone an unarmoured ‘buggy’. Doesn’t mean UGVs have no merit. Plenty of kit is useful/essential yet wouldn’t survive an RPG hit including all the ‘B’ Vehicles.
I worked on such kit (UGV Technology Demonstrators) at RARDE Chertsey in the early 80s – sadly our army then wasn’t at all interested! Things might be different now.
I agree Graham, the idea has benefits and merit, my post referred to it’s vulnerability not it’s worth.
I certainly felt potentially a little vulnerable as a REME officer in my Land Rover during three BAOR postings in the Cold War!
I was “safe” in my 434!🤣🤣
Yep. I am so surprised at the number of people who think we should scrap tanks and Ajax (before it has been fielded) because they are vulnerable. War is dangerous. Everything is vulnerable to something.
There is a real drone obsession – all our kit is apparently vulnerable to enemy drones which are untouchable and are not themselves vulnerable (not true of course). shMany say we should replace most or all of our manned assets with drones. It’s all quite bizarre.
Your 434 gave you protection from shell splinters and small arms fire – many vehicles on the battlefield don’t even have that – and dismounted personnel are vulnerable too.
We did not scrap manned ships because some were hit by Exocets (the equivalent of ‘the drones’ of their day!) in 1982!
I wonder what new innovations we can expect to see in the coming years!
https://www.kentuckyhunting.net/attachments/4956c918-dfca-4a70-8526-30d70e57b3f1-jpeg
The above picture is somewhat misleading in giving the impression that the above Ironclad UAG is much bigger than it is. Here is how big it is actually
https://i.postimg.cc/1XCBQj0Y/a11650ecc925bb8d.jpg
The above picture is somewhat misleading in giving the impression that the above Ironclad UAG is much bigger than it is. (tired posting a picture but got sent to Purgatory) the top of its chassis (minus the gun) is the height of a blokes crutch , the top of the gun comes to the the top of an average blokes chest
Do a search on:
Ukrainian Ironclad UGV Helps in Assault Operations and Provides Fire Support on the Frontline
The YT video there reveals how small it is.
Looks like a quad bike derivative given how small it is?
I was thinking of a dumper truck derivative at those low speeds.
Quad bike would be faster than 20km/h – which is only 12.5 mph. It’s very slow and cheap and survivability on the battlefield would be the issue
Maybe battery powered so close to silent running?
20km/h made me think of the dumper truck chassis – there are electric dumpers and you could carry 1000kg payload with those.
https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/products/site-dumpers/1te
They only have to survive long enough to have some tangible and hopefully significant effect.
Good point. One advantage of UGVs is their small visual signature.
If the Ukrainians could get hundreds of these into service- that would be something. They could advance in front of the heavier armoured units- presumably engage infantry and entrenched troops and trigger some of the huge numbers of mines laid.
The shock effect on a frontline area of hundreds of these things charging towards a defended positions is not going to be good.
I think the Ukrainian war will be known as the first drone war as that is simply the future.
It will mean whoever can produce the most and best drones in largest quantities (and replace loses the quickest) will win future wars. Industrial base will become the key battleground.