News

2016-10-06

Milrem Targets The UK market With Its THeMIS UGV

The company exhibited the vehicle together with Raytheon UK at Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2016

Milrem, an Estonian technology solutions provider specialising in military and commercial engineering, repair and maintenance, aims to enter the UK market with their first-of-its-kind unmanned ground vehicle THeMIS.

The company exhibited the vehicle together with Raytheon UK at Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2016, a land systems and equipment focused exhibition, held in Millbrook, England, on September 7-8.

THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) is a multi-mission, unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) being developed by Estonia-based defence and security services provider Milrem, with support from Estonian Ministry of Defence.

The first prototype of the UGV was unveiled at the Defence Security and Equipment International (DSEI) 2015 defence and security exhibition held in London in September 2015.

However, Milrem and Raytheon have been working on a new generation C-IED (Counter Improvised Explosive Device) platform that features the THeMIS UGV and Raytheon’s IED detection sensor system GroundEye.

A new variant of the THeMIS UGV, named THeMIS ADDER, was introduced at the Singapore Airshow 2016. The THeMIS infantry system is expected to undergo live fire tests in 2016.

“The United Kingdom has always been one of the technology leaders in the military field,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem. “Unmanned ground vehicles will be a new capability that will change the face of warfare. I see that the UK will definitely be one of the forerunners in implementing the capabilities of unmanned systems.”

“Milrem’s THeMIS has strong potential to be used in many different applications – from simple squad support transportation to weaponised and C-IED solutions,” he added.

The THeMIS is the first fully modular unmanned ground vehicle. It has a width and length of 83 inches and a height of 38.5 inches and consists of two track modules where everything necessary to make the vehicle move has been placed. This approach gives the vehicle a high payload of at least 1655 lbs and leaves the middle platform free to carry various superstructures that are easily exchangeable.

THeMIS hybrid UGV mission capabilities

The UGV is designed to perform a wide range of military missions in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas. It offers enhanced safety and operational effectiveness by keeping warfighters at a safe distance from enemy attack.

The vehicle can be configured for different roles including reconnaissance, observation, target acquisition, communications relay, logistics support platform, rescue, fire-fighting, and medical evacuation (medevac).

THeMIS UGV design and features

The THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle is based on tracked chassis with two crawler tracks connected by a large central bay. Its compact size and modular design help reduce life cycle management costs and simplify maintenance operations.

The length and width of the vehicle are 2.1m each and the height is 0.98m. The UGV has a base kerb weight of 850kg and can carry payloads of 750kg.

The central bay is designed to incorporate different mission equipment including cargo, towing equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and weapons systems as per the operational requirements. The medevac configuration can carry a stretcher.

The THeMIS ADDER features the same base platform but different layout.

Armament of THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle

The THeMIS multi-purpose infantry system can be armed with a variety of weaponry such as anti-tank missiles, machine guns and remote control weapon station (RCWS) to engage light armoured vehicles.

The THeMIS ADDER variant features ADDER RCWS developed by ST Kinetics. The ADDER weapon station is compatible with weapons including 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun, 12.7mm machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher (CIS 40 AGL), and CIS 50MG machine gun.

The on-board video tracking system allows engagement of both stationary and moving targets. The ADDER also features day and night imaging cameras, a laser rangefinder and an optional 40mm air-bursting munition system.

Command and control

In remote control mode, a command and control station allows the operator to receive real-time sensor data from the THeMIS unmanned vehicle and to transmit command data to the vehicle through a tactical data link.

An autonomous controlled system installed in the UGV provides autonomous real-time control and obstacle avoidance capabilities. It automatically directs the vehicle to reach a target along the desired path.

THeMIS engine and mobility

The unmanned ground vehicle is powered by a hybrid propulsion system, consisting of a diesel engine and an electric motor. It can run solely on electric motor using lithium-ion batteries, developed by Denchi Power, and graphene ultracapacitors.

Manufactured by Skeleton Technologies, the ultracapacitors deliver increased energy efficiency and reliable operation.

The lightweight tracked suspension system offers high mobility on off-road conditions.

The infantry system can travel at a speed of 50km/h and can endure for up to eight hours.

GroundEye

GroundEye is a modular, non-invasive tactical maneuvers support capability for the real-time detection, confirmation and diagnosis of Explosive Ordnance (EO) hazards, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), mines and other buried/concealed threats.

The GroundEye system enables EO disposal/specialist high-threat search operators to view, in real-time, the exact position, orientation, size and shape of all individual components of an emplaced or suspected EO hazard, IED or other buried threat. Designed for day/night operation, it delivers extremely high-definition, easy to interpret imagery.

Operated entirely from a rugged tactical computer, GroundEye automatically geo-tags all EO hazard/IED imagery for easy After Action Review and intelligence collection.

The system can be deployed in three ways:

- As a man-portable tripod-mounted capability for the dismounted EO disposal/specialist high-threat search operator.

- Remote stand-off Confirmation and Diagnosing capability integrated on any small/medium-sized Remote Controlled Vehicle Unmanned Ground Vehicle.

- In an array-mounted configuration, integrated on to any type GPR array antenna to give the host system enhanced IED detection, and full confirmation and diagnosing capability.

GroundEye is modular and features a fully open architecture, allowing for wider usage when coupled with different primary sensors. including: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Non-Linear Junction Detectors (NLJD) or Command Wire (CW) detection systems.

The system’s detection capability includes all current improvised pressure plates (high, medium, low and zero metal content), battery packs and main charges.

Offering the highest probability of detection, with extremely low false alarm rates, the baseline system comprises:

• A GroundEye sensor for imaging the target

• A light source capability, which utilizes laser imaging technology to illuminate the area of interest

• A compact Tactical Acoustic Source

• A compact tactical display/processor with intuitive tactical user interface

• A power system appropriate to the user requirement

Raytheon UK-designed and funded, GroundEye is a 100 per cent non-ITAR capability, allowing for ease of export.

Reference Text/Photo:www.raytheon.com, www.milrem.ee

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