US Army seeks industry support to prepare acquisitions of Group 4+ UAVs
The US Army is keen to hear about vendor designs, strategies and potential hardware and software solutions to inform requirements for procurement efforts.
RPP can be used to detect, remove and neutralise mines, EODs and IEDs (photo - Polish MND Armament Inspectorate)
The Polish MND Armament Inspectorate has announced on 27 December the delivery of the last batch of Patrol-Portable Robot (RPP) tracked UGVs to support EOD/IED missions of removing dangerous materials. The 17 units will equip engineering units of the Polish Armed Forces.
With a 75 kg mobile base, these platforms can be used to detect, remove and neutralise mines, EODs and IEDs in combat operations and stabilisation missions. It features devices for identifying pyrotechnic materials and chemical agents.
Controlled wirelessly, this system is also equipped with sensors for image and object recognition and provides high-resolution images in a day and night conditions.
Caterpillar tracks enable it to run on paved, dirt and off-road surfaces, as well as in urban areas at a maximum speed of 10km/h.
These systems were acquired by the Polish MND Armament Inspectorate in November 2018. The first batch was handed over in January this year.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the PLN80.7 million (US$20.9 million) contract with the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial Institute of Automation and Measurements (PIAP) comprised the procurement of 35 UGVs.
The agreement also included the training of operators, service technicians and instructors, spare parts, maintenance and repair kits as well as ammunition and consumables.
The US Army is keen to hear about vendor designs, strategies and potential hardware and software solutions to inform requirements for procurement efforts.
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
The Israeli company hopes that producing its Sigma artillery system wholly in the US will help it win a key US Army contract, but it will be up against the popular CAESAR Mk II wheeled weapon and the K9 tracked.
Germany has ordered 84 RCH 155 self-propelled guns, as system incorporating Boxer 8×8 vehicles and the Artillery Gun Module, and 200 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles while the UK has committed to a single Early Capability Demonstrator RCH 155.
While integration of guided weapons on modern armoured vehicles usually takes the form of a podded launcher on the turret exterior, recent developments suggest the concept of firing missiles from a tank’s main gun could be seeing a revival.
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.