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Type-X teleoperated Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV)

The Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicles are intended to support mechanized units. The Type-X considerably raises troop survivability and lowers lethality risks by increasing standoff distance from enemy units. The Type-X is designed to be easily upgradeable and with low maintenance costs in mind. In future wars, the importance of unmanned vehicles will become more diverse and practical with the development of technology and the improvement of modernization. In exchange for the maximum loss of the enemy by the smallest cost, this cheap and efficient feature makes the application of unmanned combat platforms reach a new level.

The Type-X Combat is intended to support mechanized units and act as a wingman to main battle tanks. The vehicle can be outfitted with several 25 mm to 50 mm autocannons. The Type-X Combat provides equal or overmatching firepower and tactical usage compared to traditional Infantry Fighting vehicles. It can be utilized to localize and engage lower range targets and provide flanking support. The Type-X considerably raises troop survivability and lowers lethality risks by increasing standoff distance to enemy units.

The Type-X with a Multi Canister Launcher can be equipped with two of UVision’s already operational Loitering Munition Systems: The Hero-120, with its anti-tank warhead and up to one hour of flight time, and the Hero-400EC, capable of destroying fortified targets, with up to two operational hours. The Type-X can be equipped with a 40 km range communication antenna, located on a telescopic rising mast, improving the operator’s control of the system.

The leading robotics and autonomous systems developer in Europe, Milrem Robotics presented the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle designed to meet the US Army’s RCV-M program. Milrem Robotics and John Cockerill Defense showcased the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle with the Cockerill Protected Weapons Station Gen 18 June 2020. II (CPWS II) to select military forces from around the world. The Type-X vehicle chassis is a revolutionary design for a mobile modular multi-mission vehicle that provides a platform for a family of unmanned armored vehicles. It is the first combat vehicle that is purposefully designed to be unmanned intended to be an integral part of mechanized units.

The Type-X provides equal or overmatching firepower and tactical usage to a unit equipped with Infantry Fighting vehicles and gives mechanized units the means to breach enemy defensive positions with minimal risk to own troops. “Replacing a lost RCV is purely a logistical nuance,” said Svärdby. The Type-X can be fitted with a cannon up to 50 mm, anti-tank missiles, and a tethered drone for continuous situational awareness. The vehicle is equipped with intelligent functions such as follow-me, waypoint navigation, and obstacle detection with Artificial Intelligence being part of the algorithms. With the Type-X, Milrem Robotics also introduces a feature called Indirect Drive that allows remote-controlled operations at higher speeds.

Milrem Robotics was established in 2013 and presented their first unmanned ground vehicle – the THeMIS – in 2015. Since then the THeMIS has been sold to nine countries of which seven are members of NATO. Milrem Robotics’ mission is to provide innovative robotic solutions for challenging environments, particularly for defense, agriculture, forestry, municipal services, rescue, and mining. The leading developer and manufacturer of military robotic land systems in Europe, Milrem Robotics, and the German systems house for main battle tanks and combat systems Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) signed a strategic cooperation agreement 31 May 2021. The contract provides for KMW to acquire a minority stake of 24.9% in Milrem Robotics. Milrem Robotics will remain as an independent company. Both companies announced they will work closely together in development of the European Center of Excellence for Military Robotics in Estonia.

The objective is to combine the know-how and expertise of both companies to develop innovative solutions to meet the requirements of future military missions involving the interaction of manned and unmanned systems. “We intend to become the European centre of excellence for unmanned technology and robotics innovations. The partnership with KMW facilitates further innovations for future products and services, especially in the area of the teaming of manned and unmanned systems and sensor-to-shooter solutions,” emphasised Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

“KMW as the European market leader for land systems and Milrem Robotics as the European market leader for unmanned land systems are an excellent fit. Our collaboration gives us the opportunity to work on innovative and new solutions that will impact the future of the defence industry. In addition, further synergies are also expected from this cooperation in the context of KNDS,” says Horst Rieder, CFO of KMW.

Member of the bicentennial John Cockerill Group, John Cockerill Defense is the technological leader in multifunctional, high-effect turrets in the 25-120mm range for light and medium weight armored vehicles. John Cockerill Defense develops and integrates complete and innovative solutions: design, production, integration and upgrade of weapons systems, operational and tactical training, Agueris® simulation systems (virtual immersive, mobile, embedded and inter-connectable), through-life support and innovative functionalities. Marketed under the Cockerill® brand, John Cockerill Defense weapons systems combine superior firepower and light-weight for high-mobility armored vehicles.

The Type-X is designed to deploy at a weight below the 12-ton mark for rapid deployment into the combat theater, either by parachute or by heavy lift helicopter. A combination of augmented Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a remote system operator, the Type-X is a tracked vehicle with armor protection that can supplement troop formations or operate independently, in unmanned formations.

“The Type-X is modular and will accept larger turrets, but current turret designs are optimized for operations under armor,” Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics stated. “The CPWS II is a step in the right direction, as it is designed from the beginning to be a remotely controlled configuration (unmanned) and easy access from the outside of the turret, allowing for reload and maintenance,” Väärsi added.

Simon Haye, the Chief Marketing Officer for John Cockerill Defense adds: “One of the first realistic roles for unmanned fighting vehicles will be convoy defense and perimeter or base defense. The Type-X with the CPWS can be placed in the front and rear of a convoy to provide additional eyes and firepower for the convoy. Rarely does a convoy have available 25mm firepower and given the system is unmanned, tactics like rushing an ambush site, or maneuvering on the enemy’s position are now legitimate options for a convoy under fire. The lead / follow functions of unmanned vehicles is well developed technology and spreading some operator stations through the convoy can provide redundancy and quick response. Further FOB security can now be in the form of a mobile unmanned fighting vehicle. Instead of putting soldiers at risk on the wire, these Guardian Systems can provide relentless observation and the capability to maneuver and disperse an attack instead of just absorbing it.”

The CPWS II is a low profile, light weight turret, with a revolutionary hatch opening and can mount the M242 25mm X 137mm Bushmaster cannon or the 230LF, 30mm X 113mm cannon. The CPWS II is a remotely operated turret, designed to fit onto 4X4 and 6X6 vehicles. It is the revolutionary hatch, which can operate in three modes that makes the turret a desirable selection for unmanned vehicle operations.

The opening roof capability will allow a rapid reloading of the unmanned vehicle from the outside. Equipped with a 360-degree panoramic sight, with CCD, thermal and fused imaging, the CPWS represents a suitable partner to the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle. The turret can come with Anti-Tank Missiles such as Alcotan, MMP, Javelin or SPIKE.

“Eventually, combining self-driving unmanned logistics vehicles with the Type-X and you can reduce the personnel required for a convoy to a few operators, while actually increasing the capabilities of defending the convoy,” Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics said. “This is not just a leap forward in force protection but a force multiplier.”

During the demonstration Milrem Robotics unveiled their Intelligent Functions Kit (IFK), which converts any vehicle into a self-driving or remotely controlled one. Milrem Robotics’ IFK is a modular hardware and software kit providing ROS2 based environment for different functionalities, which can be provided by Milrem Robotics, the customer or a third party. The IFK has been developed for Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS UGV and Type-X but can be adapted to any other vehicle with drive-by-wire integration.