The Israeli Defense Ministry had tested its new laser-based missile defense system, Iron Beam in April 2022, and now, the Miniistry announced that it will begin testing a new robotic unmanned combat vehicle on Monday, which is in development with the help of several Israeli weapons companies, according to the Times of Israel.
A powerful autonomous weapon
The vehicle is referred to as the Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle (M-RCV).
The M-RCVs capabilities include a highly autonomous deployment for forward reconnaissance and controlled lethality in all-terrain situations, according to the ministry. It is operational during the day and night in all-weather scenarios, while emphasising operational effectiveness, simplicity, minimal operator intervention, and integration into heterogeneous unmanned arrays.
Theweapon was unveiled at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris for the first time, adding to its various cutting-edge technologies." It features an anti-tank missile launcher and a system for transporting and receiving drones. It also has the capability to carry heavy loads and perform advanced maneuvering techniques.
BL Advanced Ground Support Systems'' robotics platform was developed by the ministrys Tank and APC Directorate, which now stands under the supervision of the ministrys Department of Defense Research and Development.
Elbit Systems developed an active defense system, and the missile launcher capable of carrying Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike anti-tank missiles was developed by the Israel Aerospace Industries.
The system was developed as part of the autonomous battlefield concept developed in the DDR&D in collaboration with the Tank and APC Directorate, while developing an open structure for integrating future capabilities and integrating the robot alongside other tools and capabilities," according to the ministry.
A video demonstrates the M-RCV''s many abilities.
The M-RCV is travelling across a variety of terrains, including but not limited to difficult to maneuver terrains, as well as using its pistol. A clip also demonstrates the new weapon, which employs a robotic arm, while also incorporating scene-matching techniques to help guide the vehicle.
According to the ministry, the BL platform on which the M-RCV is founded is an ongoing development project, for an unmanned ground vehicle. The BLR, coupled with drive by wire technology, gives mission control the ability to control the vehicle in a loose control circuit.
Israel has used semi-autonomous robots before on the Gaza border. In June of 2021, the nation deployed a new robotsemi-autonomous machine equipped with 7.62-millimeter machine guns that can operate "24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
