Israel is developing advanced robotic systems for various purposes. Together with other models, new machines are being created, intended for the engineering troops. It is assumed that remotely controlled equipment will help in conducting reconnaissance, clearing debris, defusing explosive devices, etc. A new complex of this kind, designated as SAHAR, was presented for several years. To date, this project has been divided into several new ones, and now we are talking about a whole family of special army vehicles.
Quite a long time ago, the Israel Defense Forces began working on the topic of robotic systems (RTK) and looking for tasks for such equipment. One of the promising areas was considered the development of the RTK for the engineering troops. Military engineers often have to work in the most challenging and risky environments. An obvious solution to a number of problems is the work performed by robots, the operators of which are in the shelter. The first samples of such equipment for engineering troops appeared more than 10 years ago.
The first version of the SAHAR complex, shown in 2014.
In 2014, a group of companies led by the Israeli Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented a new model of the RTK, capable of complementing the equipment of the engineering troops. IAI, together with foreign QinetiQ North America and Watairpoll, presented the SAHAR project (short for the Israeli "Robotic Engineering Intelligence"). A set of special equipment designed to search for and neutralize explosive devices was placed on one of the existing platforms. The solution of other tasks was also provided.
The first IAI SAHAR product show took place in May 2014 at the American AUVSI exhibition dedicated to advanced projects in the field of robotics. A Bobcat compact track loader equipped with a number of new devices was on display at the exhibition area. The car was equipped with a whole set of observation and search equipment, communication equipment and new working equipment instead of a standard bucket. In this form, an engineering vehicle could be of interest to the troops.
The development companies indicated that the basis of a new type of RTK is a set of special equipment that provides remote control of the machine and automated solution of the assigned tasks. Some of the new devices were proposed to be installed inside the base loader, others outside its body. At the same time, the car itself did not need significant modifications. In the proposed form, she had to carry a new bucket, the replacement of which was not associated with difficulties, as well as receive protective grilles over the glazing.
According to 2014 data, cameras were present on board the engineering robot for driving and monitoring the surrounding area. They also used some kind of electronic equipment designed to search for explosive devices in the sector in front of the car. All on-board control systems were combined with remote control devices, and also received means for transmitting data to the operator's console. It was envisaged to use an on-board computer capable of taking over some of the operator's functions.
Later RTK based on the Bobcat chassis
As working equipment on the first version of the SAHAR complex, a bucket with elongated lower teeth and a pair of movable upper grips was used. With the help of such a device, the robot could remove the top layer of soil by extracting an explosive device from it. A simple lifting of objects above the ground was also provided. It is curious that no means of protection were provided on the working equipment.
According to the developers, the promising engineering RTK was intended to solve a wide range of tasks in the absence of any risks for the operator. Such a machine could carry out construction or excavation work, including in difficult conditions associated with risks to people. The onboard equipment could provide a search for various explosive devices of factory or handicraft production. IAI SAHAR could then retrieve them and take them to a safe place without putting their driver or other people at risk.
Official reports claimed that the new type of complex has a high degree of autonomy. At least some of the main tasks could be performed automatically. Thus, the proposed project eliminated risks for a person, and also reduced the burden on him. A machine with such functions was offered, first of all, to the engineering troops. However, at that time, the project needed improvement. A special machine, ready for full-fledged operation, was supposed to appear later.
In the future, the IAI company several times showed this version of the SAHAR RTK, as well as its modified versions. The new exhibitions featured engineering equipment of a similar type, which had different electronic equipment. In particular, the composition and appearance of the units installed on the cab roof changed over time. There is reason to believe that the designers not only improved the existing devices, but also replaced them with new devices.
RoBattle multipurpose chassis at Eurosatory 2016
In 2016, at the Eurosatory exhibition in France, the premiere of IAI's new development - the RoBattle robotic platform - took place. This product was a multipurpose triaxial platform with a set of electronic equipment and seats for additional devices. As part of the first show, the platform was used in a reconnaissance configuration. She carried a mast with a block of optical-electronic means and a remotely controlled weapon station with a machine gun. Subsequently, RoBattle was shown in a different configuration.
In August 2017, IAI announced the creation of a new modification of the RoBattle robotic complex. This time it was about an engineering vehicle. The new sample was seriously different from the one presented earlier. He had other hull contours associated with the presence of booking and the need to install a movable bucket. At the same time, the main features of the design remained the same. On the roof of the hull of the converted vehicle there were a combat module and a block with optics. Beams with working equipment of the type used on the SAHAR RTK were fixed on the sides.
In early October 2018, the development company showed a new version of the RoBattle complex and announced more complete data about it. It turned out that in recent years, Israeli engineers have significantly modified the already known machine, which has increased its efficiency. At the same time, it was indicated that the modernized version of the RoBattle is being built using elements of the SAHAR RTK. This makes it one of the elements of the so-called. robotic forward patrol.
According to recent reports, the SAHAR project envisages the construction of new equipment not only based on the Bobcat loader. In fact, we are talking about the creation of a complex of radio electronic devices suitable for mounting on different platforms with certain characteristics. The resulting sample, having the necessary capabilities, will be able to perform engineering reconnaissance tasks, disassemble debris, and also search for and neutralize explosive devices. There are already two variants of such a robotic complex on different platforms, and new ones may appear in the future.
Advertising of RTK SAHAR based on the RoBattle platform
The exact composition of the new complex is still not disclosed, but the development company spoke about its principles of operation. An automated control system, using satellite navigation, must drive the car along a given route. Multiple cameras and compact radars provide obstacle detection and response. Thus, the driving task is carried out automatically and without the need for constant operator work.
Locators and cameras also search for potentially dangerous objects. It is argued that a set of such devices provides simultaneous surveillance in several areas at ranges of up to hundreds of meters. The on-board computer processes the incoming signals and looks for characteristic signs of potentially dangerous objects. When an explosive device is detected, the SAHAR complex alerts all surrounding troops. Further, it is possible to take the necessary measures. How exactly the robot will deal with threats is unknown. Perhaps, in the future, engineering vehicles will receive one or another working equipment designed to neutralize explosive devices.
A few days ago, in early November, new information about the progress of the SAHAR project was disclosed. Recently, the development of new technology has been carried out with the participation of the Office for the Development of Arms and Industrial and Technical Infrastructure. The robotic complex has passed the design stage and is being tested. In the near future, it is planned to test and fine-tune SAHAR as a means of combating explosive devices.
According to the development company, the new RTK is capable of performing various functions and helping the troops in one way or another. At the same time, first of all, it is planned to check the capabilities of the machine in the search and disposal of mines. Other functions will be developed and improved later. At the moment, it is explosive devices that are considered the main threat that needs to be focused on.
SAHAR complex on the RoBattle chassis in its current form
How long the testing and refinement phase will last is unknown. From the available data, it follows that it started no more than a few months ago. At the same time, the RoBattle wheeled chassis and SAHAR system components have been developed and tested over the past few years. Thus, the process of testing the entire assembly of the robotic complex may take less time than it seems. This means that a ready-made sample of engineering equipment will be able to enter service with the IDF in the coming years.
However, one more question still remains unanswered. At different times, the SAHAR complex was demonstrated in two versions, primarily differing in the type and class of the chassis. The newest sample, which the development company has talked about in recent months, is built on a wheeled platform, while the tracked version has disappeared from the news for a long time. Why this happened is anyone's guess. Perhaps the customer or developer considered the three-axle RoBattle platform a more successful basis for the RTK, and therefore abandoned the alternative Bobcat loader.
Apparently, in the foreseeable future, the promising IAI SAHAR RTK will pass all the necessary tests, after which the Israel Defense Forces will be able to adopt it. If the designers manage to solve all the tasks and create a sample of engineering equipment with the required characteristics, then it remains only to envy the Israeli army. She will be able to get a new robotic complex capable of solving all basic tasks without human intervention. Other countries do not yet have direct analogs of such a system, although there are various robotic means of searching for and neutralizing explosive devices.
Nevertheless, promising equipment is still only at the stages of verification and refinement, and it takes a certain amount of time to complete the development work. It is likely that in the coming years the IDF will announce the adoption of the SAHAR complex into service and begin operating it in the engineering troops. However, the project may encounter certain difficulties, which will lead to a shift in terms or the impossibility of fulfilling all plans. In the meantime, in the light of the data presented, the project of Israel Aerospace Industries looks extremely interesting and useful for the troops.
