BAE Systems’ Robotic Technology Demonstrator successfully fired laser-guided rockets at multiple ground targets, with a human decision in the loop, during the U.S. Army’s tactical scenario at the EDGE 22 exercise at Dugway Proving Ground.
BAE Systems said in this news release that the test marked the first time an APKWS laser-guided rocket has ever been fired from a robotic combat vehicle (RCV).
“The autonomous RTD meets the Army’s needs for a RCV medium solution. Multi-mission capable, the RTD has a commercially-proven hybrid electric drive and can be equipped with various advanced payloads such as electronic warfare sensors, various gun systems, anti-tank guided missiles and 2.75” rockets with BAE Systems’ APKWS laser-guidance kit. The vehicle also can be fitted with loitering munitions to defeat armoured and unmanned aerial threats.”
“Over the past year, we’ve partnered with leading technology companies to build an autonomous vehicle that will exceed the Army’s RCV medium requirements,” said Helen Park, Future Tech Works director at BAE Systems.
“This successful demonstration proves that our unmanned vehicle can be integrated and updated with cutting-edge technology, payloads, and weapon systems to support multiple mission sets and deliver advanced capability in a multi-domain operational environment.”
On their website, BAE say “Ground-launched APKWS rockets provide mounted units with a unique capability to engage ground targets and unmanned aerial vehicles at ranges up to six kilometers. This provides warfighters with a cost-effective solution for precision strike with greater range than small arms fire and without the need for air support”.
I thought the vehicle above was a M113, but from what I can see from the video its something else
Compare NLOS to NLAWS…….
Before everyone says British defence procurement is rubbish.
OK, ranges are very different but functionality is quite similar…..
SB,
I would have compared it to Martlet, which i do believe is the better weapon seeing as it also has a ground to air caperbility
It was the non line of sight aspect that I was thinking of.
Yes, Martlet is another success story as also tested by that Nice Mr Zolynski
Its about 50% of the size of a M113 as has no need for crew. its a fire and run away weapon. reminds me of a action man tank
To deal with the gaps that the tech misses? You never fight quite the war you think you will…… Intelligent improvisation is often the name of the game. It is all very well talking AI, but ATM Mk1 well trained Human Soldier can still be given a degree of autonomy and think on feet/problem solve in ways that robots can’t. That will/may change but it isn’t a thing quite yet. A bit tongue in cheek: Darleks were defeated by stairs! In the same way all robots have a weak operational parameter that a human soldiers can overcome with a little… Read more »
Hi SB,
I must point out that the latest upgraded Darleks can levitate, meaning they can provide their own air cover!
I have been asking for the same tech for me wheelchair, but apparently it isn’t available on the NHS..! Ho hum!
Cheers CR
Can it still be fitted with laser guided munitions CR
Who needs laser guided munitions when you have a disintergrater ray gun, thingy..?! 😃
Cheers CR
I hope that disintergrater thingies takes priority on the NHS wish list over hip replacements and whatever is trendy for body modifications this financial year CR
Na, I was thinking more about the levitation thingy as it would help me get into buildings with steps in. I once had to go on all fours to gain entrance to an office to deliver my CV. Needless to say I didn’t get the job…
I’ll leave the disintregraters to the MoD…
Cheers CR
So sorry too hear that CR ,they should have at least recognised your perseverance and determination too over come their inability yo install access for People with wheelchair requirements I’d salute you but my right arm is just a wasted appendage but hats off to you
Sorry to hear that Tommo.
Wheelchair access is a real issue mainly because it need not be in most cases. Thoughtlessness is the real problem which is very frustrating, but hey, I have to be alive to be frustrated…
Life is pretty good on balance and I have learnt to make the most of what I can do, even if I am slowing down as I get older 🙂
Take care.
Cheers CR
Thanks CR yes thoughtlessness does seem to be the Norm yet it needn’t be architects should take a look at star trek Set swishing doors and no stairs 😀
Great point about the Star Trek, Next Gen set. I really enjoyed that show and loved the ramped bridge layout. No steps anywhere. I know it is only a set, but surely it is not beyond the wit of architects and town planners… The problem is grand stair cases are still seen as a feature! so it goes down hill from there. There are times when I’d like to strap architects, town planners and the lowest of the low – building conservation officers – into wheelchairs stick them in the middle of town and tell them to get home. If… Read more »
I think the question is does Mad Vlad have a CGI of a hypersonic levitating Darlek?
A CGI bring the same as the real thing…obvs…!!!
I’m not sure you can run such technology on microprocessors from 10 year old dishwashers which are the Russians current major supply. 😀
Explains the quality of the CGI as it was probably rendered on a dishwasher?
Dishwashers that just happened too of been Looted from Ukraine probably
Does Russell, T Davis hold the Copyrights for the New Darleks if so Putin is just making Pirate knock offs that no way could go upstairs unless they use the lift
Clearly we are now getting to the nub of this very serious issue…..
Sorry SB miles away there, thank god Trinity pulled me out of the Matrix or I’d be thinking AI is just an arcade game which seems too be were Putins getting he’s technology ATARI
You stand a better chance of having those wizz bangs added to your wheelchair than ordering a car on the WPMS Motability Scheme these days. They blame Col. Putin for everything that can’t be pinned on the CCP Virus or BREXIT!
Noli illegitimi carborundum.
Love the Latin George The next thing too grind me down will be the leadership race 24 hr round the clock news can’t wait popcorn at the ready
I agree with you SB, I work in AI and there are nearly always areas where systems will fall over. That’s getting better with some Edge developers now being able to code human brain mimicking. However, a human can work in nearly all environments and times of the day that many systems have difficulty in.
AI is getting better but it doesn’t offer a full spectrum human brain. Never mind all the AI that isn’t AI at all!!
Can AI be shielded against an EMP burst if not what’s the point ?
Does that mean AI systems get Jet lag Ian no really ?
For when it breaks down in the field
That vehicle looks like the kind of thing that I have been thinking and talking about for the British Army to add weight to our hollowed out heavy armoured forces. If it is properly modular in design capable of carrying different weapons packages I would develop three such packages: A combined Martlet / cannon or heavy machine gun unit to surpress ATGW teams. The Martlet is capable of engaging drones as well as light vehicles, so would disruptive the enemies recce and mobility while the gun could engage the dismounted fire teams; A Brimstone version to engage enemy tanks particularly… Read more »
This is the Milrem Themis. This is the armoured version that carries a 25mm autocannon and two Spike ATGMs. There is another unarmoured version that carries a “6 pack” of Brimstone missiles. Both system can be command line controlled, or via a data-link.
The Brimstone version
Estonian company. Interesting. You’d have thought the UK could achieve something similar…
The Brimstone variant looks a bit small to keep up with heavy armoured formations. Nevertheless, it looks insteresting and probably very cost effective.
Thanks for the information.
Cheers CR
They are electrically powered. When they were used in Mali, The Estonians towed them behind Fuchs armoured vehicles to the patrol area. The troops would do a foot patrol. The Themis would be in a follow my leader mode. Where the operator would have the controller and the Themis would then follow them at 5 to 10m distance. They were mainly using to carry water, food, ammo and their bergens. Using Brimstone as part of an armoured overwatch. I’d expect something similar, where they get towed to a drop off point. Then set up for overwatch or long distance fires… Read more »
Thanks for that DaveyB,
So basically low intensity type operations by the sounds of it. From what you are saying they are not autonomous vehicles so probably much cheaper to develop and put into production. Clearly they bring extra capability to infantry patrols at low cost.
Electric drive is interesting as well given that in some situations noise is a dead give away.
Cheers CR
Think more of a replacement for a quad bike and trailer. You can also lay out a stretcher complete with tie offs for an IV. They took a pair to Mali a couple of years ago. Had them go in the back of one of our Chinooks. So as a pack mule they are pretty ideal.
I can see a load of these being towed behind a boxer command vehicle. Some with Brimstone, others with a loitering munition. Set up behind a ridgeline allowing dismounts to bound forwards to take a position. Or as a hastily set up defensive line.
Thinking of something like the vehicle in the headline, I can imagine them being used for indirect fires with things like Spear 3 or Brimstone or even loitering drones in future. The majority of the body space could be used as munitions carriage so they could be quite well packed out I’d guess. If they are capable of driving long distances, they could perhaps follow along like ducklings behind a command vehicle (perfect job for a Boxer command vehicle variant perhaps). If not, maybe a couple of them hitched and towed by the command vehicle until their shorter distance drives… Read more »