The European robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics unveiled a new THeMIS Combat Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) equipped with loitering munitions that allow engaging targets farther behind enemy lines.
The new system is equipped with Hunter 2-S tactical swarming drones by Halcon and features artificial intelligence that offers frontline forces the ability to locate, track and accurately eliminate soft targets, light vehicles and armoured vehicles from safe distances in challenging battlefield conditions.
“Units can manoeuvre the THeMIS Combat with Hunter 2-S drones closer to the enemy line. This allows them to engage closer targets faster or venture farther behind the lines to find suitable targets,”
explained CPT (res) Jüri Pajuste, Defence R&D Director at Milrem Robotics.
The Hunter 2-S is able to autonomously follow a flight plan to an intended target area, coordinate with other drones in the swarm and loiter while seeking and classifying targets until engagement by a man-in-the-loop.
“Deploying robotic systems across enemy lines is considerably faster and more efficient than using manned units for the same task,”
Pajuste said and added that using loitering munitions also enhances a unit’s situational awareness and ISR capabilities.
Hunter 2-S is the first UAE-made drone with swarming technology in which each drone can share data and communicate with the others, and had been expected to enter production in 2025. Halcon is one of many subsidiaries of the UAE defense conglomerate EDGE Group.
Hunter 2-S drones carry a payload of 2 kg each, can reach a cruising altitude of 500 m and cruise at an indicated airspeed of 25 m/s with a total available flight time of 45 minutes.
The mission-proven THeMIS UGV, which is part of robotics programs in 16 countries, is intended to support dismounted infantry units. It comes equipped with MIFIK – Milrem’s Intelligent Functions Kit that allows for independent mobility of the system, including point-to-point navigation, follow me, obstacle detection and avoidance.
Source: Press Release;