At the recent IDEX-2019 exhibition in the United Arab Emirates, several samples of military equipment of all kinds were shown for the first time, including promising unmanned aerial vehicles. An interesting development in this area was demonstrated by the European companies MBDA and Milrem Robotics. Based on existing and well-known components, they created an anti-tank robotic system / unmanned ground vehicle. It is alleged that we are talking about the world's first RTK / BNA, created specifically to combat enemy armored vehicles.
The joint work of the two European organizations was announced last year, during the Eurosatory-2018 exhibition. At this event, the European company MBDA and the Estonian Milrem Robotics talked about their plans to create a new project of unmanned vehicles. The companies planned to combine existing developments in a new project, which should have led to interesting results. It was last year that the new development was named the first of its kind.
The appearance of the robotic complex, published last year
The joint project does not yet have its own name. In official materials, it still bears the simplest name Anti-Tank UGV - "Anti-tank BNA". Perhaps its own designation will appear later.
The project is based on a fairly simple idea. Estonian designers have proposed their THeMIS multipurpose unmanned tracked chassis, capable of carrying various weapons or systems. In the new project, it is proposed to mount the IMPACT combat module from the MBDA company on this machine. By combining two finished products, a full-fledged remotely controlled combat vehicle is created, designed to combat armored vehicles.
Milrem THeMIS chassis
The mobility of the new ABA / RTK is provided by a multi-purpose tracked chassis of the THeMIS type (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System). This product was originally designed as a self-propelled, remotely controlled platform capable of carrying a variety of payloads. In the case of the last joint project, a combat module with missile and machine gun armament is used as a load.
The THeMIS product has an interesting architecture. It consists of two side hulls with undercarriage elements and a central platform. It is noteworthy that all the main components and assemblies are located in the side housings and most of them are inside the tracks. The loading platform has no internal volumes. This arrangement simplifies the installation of a particular payload, including combat equipment.
Multipurpose chassis Milrem THeMIS on the ground
The THeMIS chassis has a hybrid diesel-electric powertrain. Traction motors are located inside the housings, which are responsible for rewinding the tracks. The right chassis hull houses a compact diesel generator of unnamed power. The battery pack is located in the left half of the product. Depending on the current need, the elements of such a power plant can be used together or separately. So, with the use of a diesel engine and batteries, the continuous operation of the chassis reaches 10 hours. When using only batteries, this parameter is reduced to 1-1.5 hours.
The undercarriage of each unit has six small, padded track rollers and larger idler and drive wheels. A rubber track surrounds the main body. Above it is fixed a small fencing shelf with a part of instruments and equipment.
The Milrem THeMIS chassis without payload has a length of 2.4 m, a width of 2 m and a height of 1.1 m. The ground clearance is up to 60 cm. The unladen weight is 1450 kg, the payload is 750 kg. The car develops a speed of up to 20 km / h. Travel range and range depend on various parameters.
Various devices, instruments and weapons can be installed on the central platform of the chassis. Earlier, the exhibitions demonstrated a robotic complex with machine-gun armament and an optoelectronic unit. Also, on the basis of the existing chassis, it is possible to build reconnaissance, transport and other submarines. In advertising materials from the developer organization, 12 variants of military equipment based on THeMIS appear.
Active module MBDA IMPACT
In the joint project Anti-Tank UGV, the combat module MBDA IMPACT (Integrated MMP Precision Attack Combat Turret) is used as a payload. This product can be used on different carriers, and in the new project, the Estonian unmanned chassis will play this role.
Vehicle options on the THeMIS chassis
The combat module rotary support was installed directly on the central platform of the chassis. Due to the correct installation of the units, the main devices of the IMPACT module are above the tracks and can be guided in any direction. The central block of the module is placed on the rotary support, on the sides of which weapons and necessary equipment are mounted.
On the starboard side, it is planned to install a light armored hull that can accommodate two transport and launch containers with missiles. On the left there is a protected block of optoelectronic equipment for searching for targets and targeting, as well as a machine gun mount. Rockets and a machine gun can be aimed in a vertical plane, but they use separate drives for this. The optics do not move during operation.
The main weapons of the IMPACT module are MBDA MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée) anti-tank missiles. Two TPKs with such missiles are mounted on the side launcher of the module for firing into the front hemisphere. The container with the rocket is 1.3 m long and weighs 15 kg. To control missiles, standard optical instruments and other devices mounted inside the module are used.
The MMP rocket is built on the basis of a cylindrical body with a diameter of 140 mm in a normal aerodynamic configuration with two sets of fold-out X-shaped planes. The head of the body is given under the infrared / television homing head and autopilot. In the center is a tandem cumulative warhead and a dual-mode solid-propellant engine. The tail compartment is given over to control equipment and an optical fiber reel for connection with the launcher. The MMP missile is capable of striking enemy armored objects at distances of up to 4 km and penetrating more than 1000 mm of homogeneous armor behind ERA.
Rocket MBDA MMP in the assembly shop
Guidance is carried out using an optical seeker capable of operating in the "fire-and-forget" mode. The presence of communication with the launcher allows you to capture the target not only before launch, but also during the flight. In the latter case, the missile is retargeted after leaving the TPK. The operator of the complex can also choose a flight profile: low-altitude with an attack of the visible projection of the target, or a high trajectory with an impact on the roof.
The presence of our own sets of optics on the launcher and rocket increases the effectiveness of the ATGM. The use of a cable line, in turn, eliminates the loss of communication due to the use of electronic warfare by the enemy. The operator can make adjustments before the missile hits the target, helping the automation.
As a means of self-defense, the MBDA IMPACT combat module carries a rifle caliber machine gun. It is curious that the combat module for the recent exhibition was equipped with a PKT machine gun. Perhaps the type of small arms for the new RTK can be determined by the customer.
First in class?
To date, MBDA and Milrem Robotics have built at least one prototype of a promising anti-tank unmanned ground vehicle. This prototype was shown at a recent exhibition, and now it must pass the necessary tests. Orders for serial equipment are expected in the near future.
A full-scale sample of an anti-tank RTK at the IDEX-2019 exhibition. The armor cover of the missiles is open
It should be noted that the main components of the anti-tank RTK / BNA have already passed the necessary tests. Moreover, the MMP anti-tank missile system recently confirmed its characteristics and was adopted by France. Now it is necessary to carry out the full scope of tests of the entire complex in finished form and check the interaction of its individual components. Based on the results of such tests, the unmanned vehicle can be offered to customers.
The MBDA / Milrem Anti-Tank UGV product is called the world's first ABA designed specifically to combat armored vehicles. Probably, this definition is offered solely for advertising purposes and does not fully reflect the real state of affairs. To date, a large number of RTKs with anti-tank missile or grenade launchers have been created in different countries. However, for most of these samples, missiles or grenade launchers are auxiliary weapons. The new European development, in turn, carries the MMP ATGM as the main weapon.
In the presented form, the new BNA is of certain interest from both a technical and a commercial point of view. The project is based on a proposal for the use of several already known and tested samples, which together form an original combat vehicle. The result of such a combination of components cannot but attract attention. However, do not forget that such projects are being developed not only by MBDA and Milrem Robotics. Many enterprises are now engaged in the creation of multipurpose modular RTK, and in this regard, Anti-Tank UGV is just another development of its class.
The proposed sample combines a modern anti-tank missile system and a multipurpose chassis with high performance, provided by a hybrid power plant. All this can be a good competitive advantage in the fight for contracts. At the same time, a potential customer can purchase not only ready-made anti-tank ABA / RTK, but also their individual components. Combat modules IMPACT and chassis THeMIS can be used not only together. Due to this, the customer can receive benefits associated with the unification of weapons and equipment.
Back view
However, it should be borne in mind that the new development from MBDA and Milrem Robotics will face stiff competition. The market for unmanned ground vehicles for various purposes is actively developing, and new participants and samples are constantly appearing on it. Any new development claiming contracts will have to prove its potential. First-of-its-kind statements are not a real argument.
It is expected that the further fate of the original anti-tank RTK from European manufacturers will become known in the near future. Last year, basic information on this project was presented, and potential buyers had the opportunity to evaluate the new product before its appearance. At the recent IDEX-2019 exhibition, a full-scale sample of the complex was shown for the first time, and future customers were able to re-evaluate the project, as well as draw new conclusions.
If the new RTK / BNA was able to interest the military from one country or another, news of negotiations and preparations for signing a contract may appear in the near future. However, a negative scenario is also possible: the novelty will continue to be carried to exhibitions, but it will not be able to take its place on the market. It is not yet possible to say with certainty which of the scenarios for the development of events is more likely.
At the moment, only one thing is clear. Two European companies with serious experience in their fields have combined several existing developments and created a promising robotic complex with a special specialization. How the project will develop further, and whether it will manage to become the subject of new contracts - time will tell.
