Estonian defence equipment firm Milrem, along with its partners Kongsberg and QinetiQ North America (QNA), is developing a new robotic warfare system to keep soldiers safe in battle.

The new remotely operated robotic fire support and force protection system will be introduced at the Ground Robotics Capabilities Exhibition & Conference (GRCCE) in Springfield, Virginia, this year.

The system comprises Milrem's THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), Kongsberg's Protector remote weapon station, and QNA’s UGV control systems.

Milrem CEO Kuldar Vaarsi said: “This is a great opportunity to collaborate with such an esteemed company as Kongsberg and continue our cooperation with QNA.

"Integration of this remote weapon station is another example of how easily the THeMIS can be configured for different applications."

“Integration of this remote weapon station is another example of how easily the THeMIS can be configured for different applications. These various applications form a system of robotic warfare capabilities.”

The TheMIS is a fully modular unmanned ground vehicle with a hybrid diesel-electric drive which may be configured mission-specific as required to be used in various combat roles, Milrem stated.

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It can also be equipped with a remote weapon station with embedded target detection and acquisition systems to provide fire support.

Milrem said that its TheMIS can carry a payload of 750kg.

In October 2016, the companies introduced the Titan UGV to support dismounted troops.

The Titan UGV is built with QNA’s Tactical Robot Controller and Robotic Applique Kit, Milrem noted.

Milrem is also developing technologies to help military forces in using unmanned ground systems in combat.


Image: Milrem's fully modular unmanned ground vehicle THeMIS equipped with Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station. Photo: courtesy of Milrem