Estonian-based developer of defence equipment Milrem announces that its highly-applauded unmanned ground vehicle passed rigorous tests by the Defence Forces Logistics Battalion during Spring Storm (Kevadtorm), a simulated battlefield event.
That reported by businesswire.com.
Soldiers tested the Milrem vehicle for three days, using it mainly for transporting equipment and materials; something that is typically done manually or with bigger vehicles.
“Previously developed unmanned vehicles only performed specific tasks,” stated Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem. “However, this ground vehicle, THeMIS, can be customized to carry out different operations, leveraging its unique modular design and robust components,” he added.
The operational reliability of THeMIS was put to the test where the Battalion is stationed with tasks typically performed by hand or using bigger vehicles. Supplies such as equipment, water, firewood, fuel or ammunition, previously needing to be transported manually, may now be distributed using this highly rigorous, remote-controlled, unmanned system that can travel through tough terrain, be highly adaptable, and thus, ease the burden of soldiers in the field.
“Ultimately, our goal is to leverage the technologies we have access to today to make a soldier’s life easier by carrying ammunition, firewood, fuel, water and other supplies,” notes Corporal Stern Ilves, a conscript on the Logistics Battalion, describing how the THeMIS can increase the manoeuvre capability.
With the sector for unmanned ground vehicles slated to grow exponentially, Milrem cites the US Army initiative Squad Maneuver Equipment Transport (SMET) which partners the Army with industry to develop requirements and capabilities for enabling robots to haul a squad of soldier gear for a 72-hour patrol.
Read more at www.businesswire.com
