Milrem Robotics and ST Engineering have showcased the ability of the THeMIS armed combat unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to operate under beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) conditions.

The demonstration was performed last month during a live fire exercise held in Tapa, Estonia in cooperation with the Estonian Defence Forces, having signed a collaborative agreement in 2017.

Milrem Robotics defence programmes department director Jüri Pajuste said: “Our joint combat UGV is one of the first armoured UGVs in the world that’s especially well-suited for urban conflict areas.”

Milrem and ST Engineerign equipped the THeMIS armed combat UGV with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.

The joint warfare system brings together the THeMIS UGV and the ADDER DM medium-calibre remote weapon station.



It can serve as a force multiplier for dismounted troops in both urban and rural areas.

The armed combat UGV is a tracked all-terrain system capable of negotiating 60% slopes and dealing with 61cm deep water obstacles.

The vehicle can achieve a top speed of 20km/h and is powered by a diesel-electric drive that can ensure uninterrupted operation for 15 hours.

The combat UGV can be armoured up to STANAG 4569 level 3, a NATO standard for the protection levels for occupants of logistic and light armoured vehicles.

“The armed combat UGV is a tracked all-terrain system capable of negotiating 60% slopes and dealing with 61cm deep water obstacles.”

It features a wireless BVLOS control system for operation from a distance of 1,000m in urban areas and 2,500m in rural settings.

Operators will be able to command the system from a mobile or stationary crew station. The system helps to reduce operator fatigue and improves combat performance.

The presence of a dedicated fire control UHF-band datalink embedded fire control system allows for a secured firing.

Separately, Milrem delivered two THeMIS UGVs to the Robot and Autonomous Systems Unit of the 13th Light Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army.

The vehicles will be used for a concept development and experimentation project that seeks to tap the potential of new unmanned platforms to increase combat power and reduce risk to soldiers.