Bumerang takes a small step towards autonomy
K-17 Bumerang IFV, pictured at the Army 2020 event near Moscow. (Photo: Alex Tarasoff)
Manufacturer VPK claims to have made progress on developing a remotely controlled version of the Bumerang 8x8 — but it hard to see the Russian Ground Forces adopting it soon.
Russian manufacturer VPK has tested a remotely controlled Bumerang 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle.
The prototype can move forward and backwards, rotate its turret and move the gun up and down, said VPK general director Alexander Krasovitsky in a recent interview with Russian TV station RBK.
The operator can see basic data on fuel capacity and oil temperature. Krasovitsky even mentioned that the vehicle is controllable from a mobile phone, but obviously the solution is temporary.
In February 2021, he hinted at teleoperation for Bumerang: ‘If needed, the Bumerang could be controlled remotely; in other words, the information-management system of the
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: BAE Systems’ new digital fires system to be ready for demonstration this year]()
Eurosatory 2026: BAE Systems’ new digital fires system to be ready for demonstration this year
BAE Systems is presenting its Next Generation Indirect Fire Control System at Eurosatory 2026. It is designed to connect large calibre guns with wider sensor and effector networks to provide targeting information more quickly.
-
![Networked advantage: keeping unmanned systems in the loop with battlefield radio technology]()
Networked advantage: keeping unmanned systems in the loop with battlefield radio technology
Unmanned systems are powerful intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets and communication tools, but are often isolated from wider networks, limiting their potential. Industry is now tackling this challenge, empowering UxVs to act as integrated nodes across domains.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: France seeks strategic autonomy with Long-Range Ground Strike system]()
Eurosatory 2026: France seeks strategic autonomy with Long-Range Ground Strike system
As countries across Europe strive to acquire new multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) off the shelf, France has opted to develop its own to ensure it maintains domestic capability.
-
![“A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena]()
“A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena
The scale of the current escalation in drone attacks is fuelling demand for C-UAS technology that must address a rapidly evolving and expanding threat. Against this background, important lessons can be learned from the battle against IEDs, with networked responses and dispersed capabilities essential to deliver enduring protection.
