Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
Rheinmetall is delivering VarioRay laser light module sets to the Austrian Federal Ministry’s Cobra counter-terrorism unit, the company announced on 13 June.
The order, worth over €1 million, was placed in the first quarter of 2017. A total of 580 sets will be supplied under the order.
The company has also released details of orders of 600 tactical laser light module (TLLM) sets for the Austrian Federal Army for the StG 77 assault rifle, and a further 164 TLLM sets for the MG 74 machine gun.
Rheinmetall’s laser light modules are a key means of enhancing the tactical effectiveness of small arms carried by soldiers and law enforcement officers, giving users the ability to detect, identify and mark targets.
The modules feature various light sources, including white light, visible laser and infrared light.
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.