What's next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?
Although the Replicator initiative has made several accomplishments, there are still multiple gaps to plug across the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its services.
DSEi 2011: Aero Sekur reveals plans for new UGV
Aero Sekur is developing a 'quad bike' UGV, the company announced at the DSEi exhibition in London on 14 September.
Mark Butler, CEO of the company, told Shephard that the ‘Midi UGV' is realistically 12 months away from completion, and has been developed alongside the Italian MoD.
The system is 'like a quad bike with sensor arrays and cameras' that will be used for threat search, and with a 25 mile range can be sent ahead of a manned vehicle to search the area.
The UGV goes as quickly as a manned vehicle, which Butler explained is in response to the 'robots' currently used in these operations that 'slow the convoy down'.
With the distance the vehicle will be able to cover, it gives troops the 'time to take precautions or avoid it [the threat]', he said.
Butler emphasised the need for a disposable system that avoids putting a soldier at risk. The system is still being tested and is at a development contract stage with the MoD.
Meanwhile, the company is also undergoing final qualification testing on its Precision Airdrop System (PAS), and it is expected to be completed within the next three years.
The PAS uses an autonomous control system that guides a load undamaged and into a guided space.
A contract on the system is expected in 'the next few months' with an undisclosed European customer, although it has received interest from forces in four different continents, Butler said.
The company also provides UAV recovery systems for medium-sized platforms and this product has been in service with an undisclosed customer for some five years.
You may also like
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![What's next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?]()
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
![Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military]()
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
