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Milrem Robotics Has Selected Texelis as a Strategic Supplier for the Development of Next-Generation Robotic Combat Vehicles

Friday, November 22nd, 2024

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, has selected Texelis, a global supplier of advanced mobility systems for defence and security, as a strategic supplier to manufacture mobility subsystems for a new generation of robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) Milrem Robotics is developing.

Texelis will supply Milrem Robotics with a cutting-edge Tank Electrified Drivetrain to assist in creating highly capable, modular, 12+ ton robotic platforms designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. The new RCVs will be tailored to enhance the operational capabilities of armed forces, providing unprecedented mobility, protection, and advanced technological integration on the battlefield.

“Selecting Texelis as our strategic supplier of mobility subsystems is a crucial step in developing our next-generation robotic combat vehicles. Their proven expertise in delivering advanced mobility systems will ensure our platforms are unmatched in their ability to traverse complex terrains and operate in the most challenging battlefield scenarios,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

“Milrem has excellent cooperation with the French defence industry already, and cooperating with Texelis will enhance this further,” Väärsi added.

“Texelis is thrilled to have been selected by a company such as Milrem Robotics, the undisputed world leader in robotics and autonomous solutions. Working on their new generation of combat systems is a fantastic opportunity for us to keep growing as a partner of choice for mobility. Getting aboard is a huge strategic step to see us getting into the tracked vehicle market, a new universe to add to our core expertise. Alongside a customer like Milrem, mobility has no limit!” commented Jean Vandel, CEO , Texelis.

Texelis will provide a high-performance Tank Electrified Drivetrain based on its extensive experience producing drivetrains and suspension solutions for armoured vehicles. This drivetrain will enable the new RCVs to operate in highly challenging terrain with superior endurance and manoeuvrability.

Leveraging Texelis’ technology, Milrem Robotics will utilize its established proficiency in developing unmanned ground vehicles to create a robust, scalable, modular, and mission-flexible RCV platform.

The cooperation allows Milrem Robotics to leverage France’s renowned vehicle mobility and engineering expertise. The cooperation will contribute to the European defence ecosystem, fostering greater industrial cooperation and ensuring the continent’s defence forces have access to state-of-the-art, homegrown robotic solutions. The collaboration aligns with broader European defence objectives, including autonomy in key technologies and increased regional security through strategic partnerships.

Posted in International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

CHAPPIE: An Innovative Advancement in CBRN Defense

Wednesday, November 13th, 2024

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) —

Buckley Space Force Base is home to one of the Defense Department’s only two chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles.

“You spend enough time around him and start to forget he’s a QUGV,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dominic Garcia, Installation Office of Emergency Management section chief. Garcia refers to this innovative QUGV, affectionately known as CHAPPIE, representing a significant technological advancement in CBRN defense.

CHAPPIE, one of the only two QUGVs in the DoD repurposed for CBRN field operations, stands out with its extensive list of capabilities and customizations. These include remote CBRN sensing capabilities using our current inventory of detectors, which distinguishes it from other systems and makes it a significant technological advancement in CBRN defense.

“This QUGV is not only an operational game-changer for CBRN defense but also serves as a proof of concept for technological innovation within the Air and Space Forces,” Garcia explained. “The AFWERX vehicle allows end-users from the force, regardless of rank, to collaborate directly with industry to develop what the multi-capable warfighter needs at the speed of relevance, not 10-15 years later.” AFWERX, an investment program and the Department of the Air Force’s innovation arm accelerates agile and affordable capability transitions by teaming innovative technology developers with Airman and Guardian talent.

Garcia’s passion for this project dates back six years to his time at Dyess Air Force Base. “The idea came after a deployment to Syria where we were locating and destroying ISIS chemical weapons while facing novel chemicals,” Garcia recalled. “I thought there had to be a safer and faster way. In 2022, while stationed at Minot, I applied for a Small Business Innovation Research Grant through AFWERX. I received $1.24 million to develop a remote CBRN sensing capability using our current inventory of detectors. Within 20 months, we reached 90% of our goal, conducting tests at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Dugway Proving Ground.”

CHAPPIE is more than just a tool for saving lives and improving CBRN efficiency. According to Garcia, it represents a legacy of innovation and a testament to the power of new ideas. “The QUGV’s functionality provides a significant capability to support every mission at every base across the Air and Space Force. The message ingrained in this project transcends to every Airman and Guardian, emphasizing the importance of innovation.”

Garcia’s message extends to all enlisted and commissioned Airmen across all branches. He emphasizes, “Every service member has unique skills, knowledge or background that should be leveraged. Leaders should offer empowering words of support. Rank does not define intelligence, capability or competency. Many high-potential grassroots innovations and ideas never advance past the first line of supervision. We need to start recognizing and promoting these innovations to meet current challenges.” This recognition of the potential in every service member is what drives the success of this project.

The development of the CBRN QUGV is ongoing, with plans to enhance CHAPPIE’s agility, competitiveness and effectiveness in the Great Power Competition. Future upgrades aim to further improve its mobility, enabling it to navigate more complex environments. Additionally, advancements in sensor technology and artificial intelligence will allow CHAPPIE to detect and respond to threats with unprecedented accuracy and speed. These enhancements and tests of effectiveness will allow CHAPPIE to remain at the forefront of CBRN defense, providing unparalleled support to missions and reinforcing the United States’ commitment to maintaining an even stronger technological edge in global defense operations.

“It is a refreshing change to how we have traditionally tested and fielded new equipment,” said Master Sgt. Jacob Schrader, Installation Office of Emergency Management superintendent. “We have opened a new world of opportunity by enabling the end users to be creative and use their existing skills to create equipment designed around their needs. Ultimately, this will help us meet the pacing challenges faster and allow the use of existing technologies to increase our capabilities.”

As Buckley Space Force Base continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible, CHAPPIE symbolizes the future of military technology and the ongoing pursuit of excellence within the Air and Space Forces.

By TSgt Jordan Thompson, Space Base Delta 2

Posted in Advertiser, CBRNE, Guest Post, Robotics, Space | No Comments »

Milrem Robotics Expands to Finland

Tuesday, November 12th, 2024

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, has established a subsidiary in Finland and opened an office in Helsinki. This strategic move significantly expands the company’s presence in the Nordic region and reinforces its commitment to supporting defence and security partners across Europe.

“Establishing an office in Helsinki is a natural progression for Milrem Robotics as we continue to grow our footprint in Europe,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “Finland’s advanced tech ecosystem and strong defence industry make it an ideal location for us to innovate and collaborate with key partners. We look forward to contributing to the local economy and bringing cutting-edge robotic solutions to the region.”

Currently, the Helsinki office employs 10 skilled professionals specializing in sales, robotics engineering and project management, including EU defence projects.

“We plan to significantly expand our Finnish workforce in the coming years, aiming to tap into the country’s rich pool of technological talent,” added Kimmo Laine, Managing Director of Milrem Robotics Finland.

The new Helsinki office will focus on program management, research and development initiatives, enhancing the company’s ability to provide its clients with state-of-the-art unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Milrem Robotics has a history of successful collaborations across Europe, including supplying its flagship THeMIS UGVs to several defence forces and participating in key research projects on autonomous warfare systems.

By expanding into Finland, Milrem Robotics aims to strengthen partnerships with Finnish defence institutions and contribute to developing innovative solutions tailored to the needs of the Finnish Defence Forces.

Milrem Robotics’ solutions are currently part of robotics programs in 19 countries worldwide, with Sweden and Japan being the latest to join its user group. The company’s systems also assist Ukrainian soldiers in the war with Russia.

Milrem Robotics is the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, and the UAE. The company is known for its THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), and MIFIK I—the autonomous functionalities kit.

The company is also renowned for successfully completing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) project iMUGS, which focused on developing a modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

Army Advances Human-Machine Integration Tests to Enhance, Fight with Combat Units

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

WASHINGTON — Robots integrated into Army formations can help protect Soldiers and revolutionize warfare in multiple domains.

Human-machine integration forces can take on dangerous battlefield operations, including overwatch, or movement of troops to a point of tactical advantage, and the suppression of the enemy, said Brig. Gen. Chad Chalfont, commandant of the Army Armor School at Fort Moore, Georgia.

Those capabilities could help achieve the Secretary of the Army’s goal of “no blood for first contact,” where human machine integrated formations make platoons and companies better at maneuvering, communicating and surviving on a transparent battlefield. HMIF could shoulder risk normally assumed by Soldiers.

Army Futures Command, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is scheduled to host the Human-Machine Integration Summit IV at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, on Nov. 6-7, 2024, to inform academic, industry and government partners on HMI development and explore cost-cutting solutions.

The Army has been working with prototypes and performing exercises with the new technology including robotic combat vehicles, or RCVs. On July 24, the Comanche Troop of 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Division, completed training exercises with the RCVs as part of Army Futures Command’s RCV Pilot-24 exercise.

During the July exercises, Soldiers performed reconnaissance and security missions with the platoon using two control vehicles to navigate four robots, Chalfont said.

Chalfont said they learned they needed a third control vehicle for that platoon to operate effectively and to operate across different nets. They also learned techniques to better communicate within their platoon while also reporting up and out to their company commander.

The 1-7 Cavalry Troop, based out of Fort Cavazos, Texas, performed the exercise during a National Training Center rotation in September, but restructured the unit to use three control vehicles to control four RCVs.

The robotic combat vehicles were designed to act as scouts and combat escorts with a Soldier controlling the vehicle remotely. Those vehicles can also serve as decoys to protect Soldiers from enemy fire and assist the execution of multi-domain strikes. The Army originally had three RCV models in development but has since decided to focus on a single, lightweight variant.

Brig. Gen. Phillip Kiniery, Infantry School commandant at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore, said he wants to be able to take that infantry squad and maximize the cognitive and physical capabilities of that squad by putting the burden on the robot. He wants to increase the depth and duration by which an infantry squad can maintain contact with the enemy so that infantry squad leader can bring everything they have to bear as a system and overwhelm the enemy.

Col. Kevin Bradley, director of the Next Generation Vehicle Cross Functional Team at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, said the Army has reached a pivotal time in its history where robotic technology could give U.S. forces a competitive advantage in maneuverability, like the period between World War I and World War II.

Bradley said just as the airplane, radio and tank were critical to unlocking maneuver in World War II, human-machine integration forces — the combination of robots, autonomy and their ability to reduce or offset risk — is the key to unlocking expanded maneuver in a transparent battlefield.

Chalfont cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as an example of the evolution of warfare, where Ukrainian forces have developed capabilities to fight against the Russian army. He said a cycle of adaptation is occurring in that conflict. The next question is what will forces do with that information and where does the adaptation occur?

Bradley said the Army will need to test to see if RCVs and other robotics platforms can keep pace or fight with a brigade combat team or an infantry brigade combat team.

Col. Scott Shaw, director of Maneuver Capabilities Development Directorate at Fort Moore, said the service absolutely wants Soldiers controlling multiple robots in the air and on the ground using the same device.

Shaw said the Army in some cases has a “two Soldiers to one robot” ratio and is very much working toward one Soldier controlling many robotic platforms.

He said that robots used in combat must have true maneuverability, be able to traverse different environments and be able to withstand some damage from enemy fires.

Col. Ken Bernier, project manager for future battle platforms at Detroit Arsenal said the Army will continue experiments integrating HMIF into its formations, eventually conducting a full operational test. Bradley said that after building the base platforms of the RCVs, the focus will shift toward technology and common control, including a focus on software.

By Joe Lacdan, Army News Service

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Robotics | No Comments »

THYF – Throwbot Carry System

Monday, November 4th, 2024

I can’t think of a time when I’ve been able to mention these two of my favorite things in the same article, load carriage and robots.

Thyf’s Throwbot Carry System (TCS) is a means to keep the ReconRobotics Throwbot close at hand as well as provide storage for the Operator Control Unit.

The Throwbot pouch hangs below the armor where it’s handy but must be removed from the ThrowBot when it’s employed, otherwise it will get in the way of the camera. The OCU pouch is also made from 500D Cordura and is PALS compatible.

Made from 500D Cordura, it’s available in Black, Ranger Green and MultiCam.

www.thyfsupply.com/products/tcs

Posted in Load Carrying, Robotics | 3 Comments »

AUSA 24 – SIG Remote Operated Equipment

Friday, November 1st, 2024

SIG gave us an update on their robotics and remote operated weapon station programs which they are referring to, with an eye to the future, as Remote Operated Equipment. As you may recall, SIG purchased Israel’s General Robotics last year.

This is the first fully US-produced SIG weapon station, mounted with an MMG 338 Machine Gun, and sitting atop the tracked Donkey concept platform.

The weapon station is capable of remotely charging and firing the weapon as well as rendering it safe.

The flexible feed chute is from Nobels Worldwide and the weapon is fed from a 300 round quick change ammo can. The entire system can be controlled via a tether or remotely via a Persistent Systems MPU5 radio.

Finally, the weapon station optics include a variable powered day camera along with a thermal camera and 1550 eye safe laser range finder.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Robotics, weapons | No Comments »

Rheinmetall and Croatian Unmanned Ground System Manufacturer DOK-ING Set to Build Remote-Controlled UGSs Together in Future

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

• The planned joint venture is foreseen to become the market leader in the segment of unmanned and remote-controlled combat and combat support vehicles.

• The first goal of the partnership is to jointly develop an unmanned system for mine scattering and counter-mobility operations. A corresponding system demonstrator is to be presented in 2025.

In the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anuši? the Croatian UGS manufacturer DOK-ING and the Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 October 2024 to establish a joint venture. A special feature of this partnership is the entirely European origin and value creation, which should result in various unmanned ground systems (UGS).

The agreement provides for joint development and subsequent marketing of the new DOK-ING Komodo platform. Rheinmetall AG is contributing various capability modules/upgrade kits (e.g. for direct and indirect fire, mine-laying, reconnaissance sensors, logistics, etc.), as well as its international market access and industrial capacities.

The implementation of the MoU is subject to the prior approval of the relevant regulatory authorities, including the European Commission and the respective national competition authorities.

As Dr Björn Bernhard, head of the Vehicle Systems Europe division, explains: “DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent two leading European suppliers in their field, joining forces to carry out challenging projects. Together, we aim to set new standards and pave the way for the series production and application of UGSs. We are addressing the European market as well as other partner nations.”

Vjekoslav Majeti, founder and President of the supervisory board of DOK-ING: “The technological and industrial synergies between DOK-ING and Rheinmetall represent a unique opportunity to develop state-of-the-art unmanned combat and armoured breaching systems in Europe. We see this agreement as a fundamental contribution to creating a common future.”

Within the framework of the future cooperation, numerous combat and combat support solutions will be developed, including a joint project for an unmanned armed support vehicle (known as a Wingman) for battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles for reconnaissance and fire support is also to be developed. These shall be used in combination with already known classic Rheinmetall products, such as the KF51 Panther, the Büffel-3 armoured recovery vehicle and the Kodiak-3 armoured engineer vehicle.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

AUSA 24 – AZAK Demonstrates New Wheel

Monday, October 28th, 2024

Exhibiting with BlueSky mobile power, AZAK showed their new S26 self powered wheel.

As I mentioned last AUSA, the drivetrain and battery are contained within the wheel. What makes these so appealing is that they can be used in an almost LEGO-like fashion, attached to simple frames of various configurations as wheel, drivetrain, and power source. Even better, they can be swapped out in a matter of seconds.

Measuring 26” tall x 8” wide, the new wheels offer 147 lb ft of torque and a top speed of 12 mph.

Posted in AUSA, Disruptive Tech, Mobility, Robotics | 1 Comment »