T-72 converted to unmanned tank target
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions' Micro Systems has converted a Russian T-72 tank to operate in an unmanned configuration, the company announced on 13 April.
Micro Systems converted the T-72 in response to a US Army need for a tank target for training purposes. The conversion allows the tank to be controlled by the Army Ground Aerial Target Control System (AGATCS) - a vehicle and datalink agnostic control system that has been interfaced to a wide variety of US Army air, ground, and sea surface target vehicles.
A number of challenges needed to be overcome for the conversion: the dual tiller steering system required high levels of force and displacement; and the operating environment was harsh, with high levels of vibration, temperature, and dust. Remote control was facilitated by the ability of AGATCS to control a wide variety of vehicles with highly disparate control requirements.
Kevin Ferguson, senior vice president of Kratos Micro Systems, said: 'Micro Systems is proud to support the US Army's targets management office with new capabilities to provide highly threat representative target vehicles to support their efforts to develop capabilities to keep our homeland and warriors safe.'
More from Training
-
France buys new sims for its E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft
The full flight simulator procurement falls under the cockpit modernisation programme awarded to Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance.
-
Boeing partners with Shield AI on autonomous pilot programme
The agreement between Boeing and Shield AI will explore autonomous systems implemented into existing and future aircraft.
-
Meteksan exports damage control simulator to Asian navy
The recent order from an Asian customer takes the number of countries that have ordered Meteksan's shipboard Damage Control Simulator to five.
-
Red 6 seals new partnership despite unclear progress on previous programmes
Lockheed Martin says Red 6's augmented reality system could be implemented into fifth-generation fighters, such as the F-35 or F-22 in the future.
-
Leonardo takes another step towards sixth-generation training
Leonardo will develop immersive training solutions that leverage Varjo's headsets for multiple use cases across the pilot training curriculum.