Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ business unit Micro Systems has converted a Russian T-72 Tank to operate unmanned, in response to the US Army’s requirements for a tank target.

Micro Systems is a part of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division (USD).

The converted T-72 will be controlled by Kratos’ vehicle and datalink agnostic control solution, the Army Ground Aerial Target Control System (AGATCS), which has been adapted for air, ground, and sea surface target vehicles.

Kratos Micro Systems senior vice-president Kevin Ferguson said: “Micro Systems is proud to support the US Army’s Targets Management Office with new capabilities to provide highly threat-representative target vehicles to support their efforts to develop capabilities to keep our homeland and warriors safe.”

The conversion, which required displacement of the vehicle’s dual-tiller steering system, took place in an adverse operating environment with high vibration, temperature, and dust levels.

“Micro Systems is proud to support the US Army’s Targets Management Office with new capabilities to provide highly threat-representative target vehicles.”

These issues were resolved by personnel from Kratos / Micro Systems and the army’s Targets Management Office.

Remote control was facilitated by the ability of AGATCS to control vehicles with disparate control requirements.

The mid-tier government contractor Kratos provides unmanned combat aerial systems for force multiplication and amplification.

The majority of the company’s work is performed on a military base, in a secure facility or at a critical infrastructure location.

Image: T-72 Tank. Photo: courtesy of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.