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Modular Unmanned Ground System (MUGS)

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are similar to aerial drones, as they do not require the operator to be onboard the vehicle. They can be used for combat, transport, de-mining, or other duties to assist troops in the field. Russia tested its Uran-9 armed UGV in Syria, where it reportedly suffered from operating difficulties. Europe is expected to need thousands of UGS during the next 10-15 years growing the value of the market into billions of euros. With seven participating nations and key industrial players, the UGS developed during iMUGS (Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System) is expected to become the preferred European solution for integrating into armed units.

The project titled iMUGS (integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System) originated in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework. The iMUGS project was officially adopted by 25 EU defence Ministers on the updated list of projects for PESCO in November 2018. According to PESCO specification, the project will aim to develop a transport solution to “carry different payloads,” a cyber-secure autonomous navigation capability, and a command and control interface. According to Director General Kusti Salm from the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI), true innovation will emerge in the autonomous control system and cooperation with sensors and other manned and unmanned platforms, such as UAVs and radars.

On 24 September 2019 a consortium led by the Estonian Milrem Robotics and composed of several major defence, communication and cybersecurity companies and high technology SMEs established in the EU submitted their application to the European Commission’s European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) for a multi-mission unmanned ground system capable of being teamed with manned and aerial vehicles.

The system will consist of a robust and modular unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) equipped with an electronic warfare resistant command, control and communications solution and secure autonomous mobility software that enables the operator to simultaneously and safely control multiple land and air platforms. The UGVs will be able to team with manned and aerial vehicles with the objective to provide flexibility, modularity and versatility for different missions, increase protection, sustainability and performance of military operations and enhance situational awareness of ground forces.

During the project operational know-how will be gathered and concepts for the combined engagement of manned and unmanned assets developed, while taking into account the ethical aspects applicable to robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. State-of-the-art virtual and constructive simulation environments will also be set up.

The Permanent European Security Cooperation (PESCO) initiative utilized €30.6 million from the European Defence Fund, to which countries' co-financing will be added and the first system prototype is expected to be unveiled in 2021. The requirements for the standardized UGS have been set by seven EU member states: Estonia, the leader of the project, and Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia and Spain. T The 30.6 million euros feom the European Commission’s European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) assigned to the iMUGS project for the development of an unmanned ground system. This makes it one of the European Commission’s biggest defense investments to date.

The objectives of the EDIDP program were to contribute to the strategic autonomy of the European Union and to strengthen the cooperation between the Member States. The priorities include enabling high-end operations of military forces with special focus on intelligence and secured communications and cyber. Actions include the development of next-generation ground combat capabilities and solutions in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Cyber technologies.

Estonia signed an agreement in August 2019 to lead the development of a Modular Unmanned Ground System (MUGS) together with Belgium, Spain, Latvia, France, Germany, and Finland. Lithuania, meanwhile, will not join the two other Baltic states on the project. Estonia has previously deployed the Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) with its troops in Mali. Its main duties included carrying gear, and linking with a drone flying overhead.

Lithuania, however, opted not to join the project and instead concentrate on its existing commitment to lead another PESCO initiative to develop EU Cyber Rapid Response Teams. Among the 34 PESCO initiatives, Lithuania is also participating in projects “that will improve military mobility [...], will strengthen [...] logistics and military medicine capabilities,” the Lithuanian Defence Ministry told LRT English in a written statement. “Participation in every PESCO project requires large financial and human resources, therefore, we judge every project by its relevant to the Lithuanian Military development priorities,” the statement reads. “The [MUGS] project was judged together with the others, and it was decided not to join the project at the current stage.”

“Estonia has the honour and a great responsibility taking the lead in this project as nothing on a similar scale has been conducted before. Our goal is not only making iMUGS a one-time effort but to build it into a base project for future developments. Our long-term goal is that each of the modular systems built, will pave a way for further innovation in its field,” said Martin Jõesaar, Chief of Project Office in the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment.

“iMUGS is an excellent example of cooperation in Europe: seven countries have created common requirements for a future robotic system and have a common understanding of how the system is to be deployed. The result of iMUGS will be a modular and scalable solution that will not only fill all the needs of Europe but be also deployable worldwide,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

The Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) project will be carried out by a consortium primed by Milrem Robotics, with another 11 hi-tech defense firms. The common development of this vehicle will build from Milrem Robotics’s previous program called THEMis, with the addition of various mission systems and autonomy solutions. The aim is to develop a valid scalable architecture applicable to both manned and unmanned vehicles, with the idea of standardizing Europe’s ground and air systems and its command and control and communications systems, sensors, payloads and autonomy algorithms.

The system will consist of a robust and modular ground vehicle fitted with an electronic-warfare-resistant command, control and communications system and secure autonomous mobility software to allow the operator to control many different ground and air platforms securely and simultaneously. iMUGS will include several components: system cybersecurity, autonomous mobility, advanced communications systems and further driving-related developments plus manned-unmanned teaming (MUT) including swarms.

GMV will be coordinator of the command and control and C4ISR interoperability subproject. GMV is bringing to the table its wealth of experience in C2 ground systems and JISR interoperability (JISR =Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance). GMV’s participation in iMUGS is based on the experience it has built up in C2 ground systems, dismounted soldier C2 systems and JISR interoperability, areas where GMV is one of the leading companies in Europe. GMV is the leading supplier of Artillery and Dismounted Soldier Command and Control Systems for the Spanish MoD. Since 2016 it has been responsible for maintenance and upgrading of the EUCCIS C2 system of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

iMUGS will enable European countries to use unmanned vehicles with logistics and ISR functions, trimming the load and increasing troop security. With this joint initiative the European Defence Fund meets member states’ requirements and draws on the skills of Europe’s industry to boost defense capabilities and strategic autonomy.

During iMUGS a modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems will be developed to standardize a European wide ecosystem for aerial and ground platforms, command, control and communication equipment, sensors, payloads, and algorithms. Addressed operational challenges include enhanced interoperability, increased situational awareness and faster decision-making. The system will utilize an existing unmanned ground vehicle – Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS – and a specific list of payloads.

The outcome of the project will be demonstrated in operational environments and relevant climatic conditions as part of participating member states military exercises or at separate testing events. The first demonstration is planned already for the second quarter of 2021 and will be held in Estonia.

During the project operational know-how will be gathered and concepts for the combined engagement of manned and unmanned assets developed, while considering the ethical aspects applicable to robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. State-of-the-art virtual and constructive simulation environments for specific mission will also be set up. The system to be developed will be under meaningful human control.

iMUGS is a cooperation between 13 parties: Milrem Robotics (project coordinator), GT Cyber Technologies, Safran Electronics & Defense, NEXTER Systems, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Diehl Defence, Bittium, Insta DefSec, (Un)Manned, dotOcean, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, GMV Aerospace and Defence, and Royal Military Academy of Belgium. This unprecedented cross-border cooperation will join all expertise and skills across EU necessary to achieve a significant step forwards in this domain.

The objectives of the EDIDP programme are to contribute to the strategic autonomy of the European Union and to strengthen the cooperation between Member States. The priorities include enabling high-end operations of military forces with special focus on intelligence and secured communications and cyber. Actions include development of next generation ground combat capabilities and solutions in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Cyber technologies.