Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
The masted-sensor can detect targets more than 10km away. (Photo: Anduril)
Anduril has developed a new long-range sensor capable of detecting targets up to a range of 8km autonomously and up to 12km in operator mode. The sensor has already been operational as a pilot system.
The new Extended Range Sentry Tower (XRST) was designed for force protection and border security. In November 2023, it has been deployed to the US–Mexican border in Texas.
The sensor can be mounted on a expeditionary 80ft (2.5m) tower, with the system designed to reduce manpower needs and response times by presenting tailored alerts to operators within seconds of detection.
The system constantly processes and trains algorithms at the edge to enable crews to operate more accurately and effectively, Anduril claimed .
The company stated that its various tower systems “have produced hundreds-of-thousands of autonomously identified incursions that have resulted in successful force protection, humanitarian and law enforcement outcomes”.
“The most recent addition to Anduril's Sentry family of autonomous systems brings proven autonomous surveillance capabilities to longer-range applications, while presenting operators with relevant decision points, not noise,” it said.
Anduril has provided similar systems to different standards and shorter ranges such as Standard Range Sentry Tower at a height of 10m and a range up to 3.5km, Long Range which is equipped with radar for a range out to 15km and Maritime at 5.5m with a range for surface vessels of more than 15km.
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in 2021 and added another 10 a year later. A cancellation of the programme would impact both the army’s capabilities and local industry which is involved in the manufacture.
Demand for ammunition continues to increase with manufacturing capability growing to match. Sweden have turned to the two supply lines of Rheinmetall and Nammo as part of a Nordic effort to meet demand. The Polish Government has also announced a US$700 million investment to boost manufacture of munitions.
Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?
The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile system and is a planned replanned replacement for MGM-140 Army Tactical Missiles System (ATACMS). It is to be fired from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.