Time to get to the line. Robotic missile system from MBDA and MILREM
RTK prototype at DSEI 2019. Photo by Overtdefense.com
Many modern models of military equipment are the result of the successful cooperation of several development companies. In addition, the approach with combining several existing samples into a new complex is popular. The European companies MBDA and Milrem Robotics used both of these approaches, which resulted in a promising robotic complex with guided missile weapons.
Premiere screening
The promising missile defense RTK has not yet received its own name, and it is named for its main components. A prototype of such a system was first shown in September during the London DSEI 2019 exhibition. This year the exhibition once again confirmed its status as one of the main venues for the premiere shows of new European developments.
The combat RTK was the result of a collaboration between the Estonian company MILREM Robotics and the international MBDA Missile Systems. Moreover, the cooperation was quite simple. The two companies combined existing projects and based on them created a completely new model of robotic military equipment.
An Estonian company has provided its universal THeMIS chassis for RTK. This product has been actively promoting itself on the international market for several years and regularly becomes the basis for specialized samples. This time he was armed with guided missile Brimstone development company MBDA.
The authors of the project indicate that the new RTK is designed to deal with the armored units of a potential enemy. Due to the use of a ready-made chassis with high performance, the complex must reach a given line in a timely manner, and the missiles will ensure the destruction of targets. An important feature is a significant ammunition Robot. In previous projects, only one rocket was placed on the MILREM platform, and now it carries six.
The commercial prospects of the new development remain unclear. So far, there is no information about the interest of potential customers, not to mention the signing of contracts. However, similar news may appear in the foreseeable future.
Base chassis
The basis of the new RTK is the remotely controlled THeMIS platform developed by MILREM Robotics. It is a caterpillar chassis of characteristic architecture. All proprietary chassis devices are housed in two side housings, each of which carries a track. The hulls are connected to each other by a central platform suitable for mounting various systems, weapons, etc.
Anti-tank systems at the firing position. Figure MBDA Missile Systems / mbda-systems.com
Thanks to this, the THeMIS product can carry loads, various equipment and weapon - up to guided missiles. Several versions of specialized RTKs for various purposes with one or another equipment or weapon have already been built and tested. Several similar samples are so far shown only in the form of promotional materials.
THeMIS has a length of 2,4 m with a width of 2 m. Net weight - 1630 kg, payload - up to 750 kg. A combined power plant with a diesel engine, electric motors and batteries is used. Management is carried out over the air; On board there is a set of cameras and sensors for driving. It is possible to control the payload.
In its current form, THeMIS can work at a distance of up to 1,5 km from the operator. The duration of the operation depends on the mode of the power plant. Hybrid mode provides 15 hours of operation, batteries - no more than 1-1,5 hours.
Target equipment
An unnamed joint project proposes to mount several new devices on the THeMIS chassis. In front of the loading platform, a vertical shield is placed covering other units. Behind it is mounted a rocking rectangular rocket launcher.
The installation is made in the form of a protected box with mounts for containers with missiles. Before start-up, the installation must rise by a certain angle, while its front cut is higher than the chassis flap. Further, guided missile firing can be carried out. In the dimensions of the THeMIS platform, it was possible to place six Brimstone missiles - in two rows of three units.
The launcher weighs about 100 kg. Over 300 kg falls on six TPK with missiles. Thus, the new equipment not only fully fits into the limitations of the base chassis, but also leaves a substantial supply of load capacity.
MILREM THeMIS platform and equipment options. Figure MILREM Robotics / milremrobotics.com
The new RTK is armed with Brimstone MBDA guided missiles. Such a missile is a universal weapon for land and air platforms, designed to destroy various types of ground targets. In this case, a rocket is used, adapted to launch from the ground from the TPK.
The Brimstone missile has a cylindrical body with a diameter of 180 mm and a length of 1,8 m with two sets of planes, in the head and tail. It is equipped with a solid-fuel engine and a tandem cumulative warhead to defeat protected targets. Fuse - pin.
The missile is equipped with a combined guidance system, which includes several different devices and provides the application on the basis of the "launched-forgotten" principle. An autopilot and an inertial navigation system are placed in the instrument compartment to control the initial portion of the trajectory. There are also active millimeter-wave active radar seekers and a semi-active laser head. Two GOS can be used independently or simultaneously - depending on the characteristics of the combat mission.
On the prototype and in the advertising materials for the new RTK there are no visible optical or radar means of searching for targets. It is possible that the presented machine is only a self-propelled launcher, while the search and distribution of targets should be carried out by a different model. It cannot be ruled out that such a reconnaissance target designator can also be built on an Estonian chassis.
Project Perspectives
The joint project of MBDA and MILREM Robotics is quite interesting. He continues the ideology of two basic projects: the MILREM THeMIS platform receives a new version of weapons, and the universal Brimstone rocket expands its range of carriers. The combination of these two products in one RTK leads to very interesting consequences.
The THeMIS platform has been present at all major exhibitions for a long time, is tested and receives high marks. The installation of a new launcher fully confirms its potential as a universal carrier for various payloads. In addition, this fact may become additional advertising for the chassis and various samples based on it.
Brimstone missiles on the external suspension of the aircraft. Photo MBDA Missile Systems / mbda-systems.com
The Brimstone missile is already in service with several countries and is also receiving high marks. MBDA regularly presents new variants of missile systems based on it, including land - another example of this kind was built on a robotic chassis.
The combination of two successful models led to the appearance of a promising combat RTK. Its advantages include small size and weight, sufficiently high mobility and the ability to work away from the operator, which reduces the risks for the latter. With all this, the tracked chassis carries modern effective guided missiles that can hit a wide range of targets within a radius of several kilometers. The greatest effectiveness of such a RTK can show when working as an anti-tank weapon.
In theory, such RTKs can act independently or in groups. With their help, you can organize or strengthen anti-tank defense in a dangerous area. It will be difficult for the enemy to detect the threat in time and take measures to eliminate it. At the same time, the robot division is capable of carrying a large total ammunition sufficient to incapacitate a significant number of targets.
There are also disadvantages. The main one is the presence of a radio control channel that is exposed to enemy electronic warfare. The lack of their own means of searching for targets significantly complicates the entire anti-tank complex and may complicate its operation. In addition, the failure of the intelligence robot precludes the further effective use of self-propelled launchers. The limited performance of the THeMIS chassis may also be a problem. Due to its small size and mass, this platform is significantly inferior in terms of cross-country ability to larger army vehicles.
Nevertheless, the joint project of MILREM Robotics and MBDA is of great interest already at the concept level. A universal robotic platform combines with universal guided missiles, resulting in a completely new missile system. A sample of this kind has certain commercial prospects and is quite able to interest some customers. In addition, such a concept can be developed in new projects.
So far, a promising missile system based on a robotic chassis has been demonstrated only at the exhibition. If there is interest from potential customers, the complex can be brought to the next stages and brought to the market. Time will show how successful the new development turned out to be - and how many customers decided to introduce new ideas in their armies.
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