Unmanned Ground Vehicles Put to the Test

Four unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) by Milrem Robotics and QinetiQ survived a 3-week period of training with British troops known as the Army Warfighting Experiment 2018 (AWE18)—Autonomous Warrior (Land).

Milrem Robotics developed all four UGVs, which made it the most represented UGV manufacturer. During the exercises, two of the four UGVs were deployed by Milrem Robotics, while the other two were deployed by QinetiQ.

“The main goal of the experiment, which concluded last week, was to determine how new unmanned technologies can enhance soldier’s survivability and effectiveness on the modern battlefield,” says (Cpt, ret) Juri Pajuste, Milrem Robotics program director.

UGVs were tested in different operational facets and mission environments (urban, open, and forested). According to Business Wire, the trials consisted of three main phases:

Conduct combat operations without the benefit of new technologies.
Conduct combat operations using new technologies but without changing tactics.
Conduct combat operations using new technologies and adapting tactics according to the capability that the new technology provides.

Titan Strike was one of the four UGVs on trial, which is “a prototype system carrying a Kongsberg remote weapon station, fully controlled by a remote operator, and using QinetiQ’s Pointer system as a means of integrating the capability with dismounted infantry,” according to Business Wire.

Titan Sentry was another unit that utilized QinetiQ’s Pointer system, and included a sensor suite courtesy of Hensoldt that comprised of battlefield radar, as well as electro optical and thermal imaging cameras.

“AWE 18 is the conclusion of months of hard work, maturing Titan Sentry and Titan Strike. We have enjoyed working closely with Milrem Robotics and are looking forward to future collaboration, working together with the world leading THeMIS platform,” says QinetiQ Campaign Manager Keith Mallon.

Milrem Robotics also tested a fielded system that’s built as a casualty excavation and logistical support unit. Another unit put to the test was equipped with a Threod Systems’ tethered multi-rotor drone pod.

“The feedback from the users was very positive and they were surprised how agile and durable Milrem’s UGV is,” says Pajuste.