Milrem Type-X Robotic System: any combat module for the customer

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Milrem Type-X Robotic System: any combat module for the customer

Part-Type Type X chassis

In early April, the Estonian company Milrem Robotics first talked about the development of the promising Type-X robotic system, which is a multi-purpose crewless armored fighting vehicle. Soon assembly of the prototype began. He is ready. The prototype was shown to potential customers.

Finished sample


In early June, Estonian television showed a report from the assembly shop of Milrem Robotics. The "protagonist" of the report was the under construction chassis for the Type-X RTK. By the time of the survey, the main assembly work was completed, but some of the units were missing. In addition, the complex did not have time to get a combat module - it was nearby under a cover. However, as it turned out later, completing the assembly did not take much time.



Just a few days later, on June 17, Milrem Robotics held an event with representatives of the armed forces of several unnamed countries. The military, who will have to operate such equipment in the future, was shown a prototype RTK Type-X with all the main components.

During the event, they again called the main advantages of the new project, announced earlier. RTK Type-X should effectively solve the same problems as “manned” vehicles, but it is easier to operate, cheaper and more profitable than conventional infantry fighting vehicles with similar characteristics.


Ready platform

Also on June 17, they presented a promising Intelligent Functions Kit control system designed for Type-X and other RTKs for various purposes. Such a system is designed to increase the autonomy of technology. It allows RTK to independently navigate and perform other tasks.

Platform Features


Previously, only computer images of the promising RTK and some information about its tactical and technical characteristics were freely available. Recent reports and press releases allow us to consider the new technology in great detail - as well as draw conclusions.

It was previously indicated that the combat weight of the Type-X RTK is 12 tons. The payload in the form of a combat module or other equipment is up to 3 tons. The length of the vehicle is 6 m at a height of not more than 2,2-2,5 m, depending on " payload. " All this makes certain demands on the power plant and chassis. Some information about them has already been announced, and now new details are known.

Even in the first announcement, the development company talked about the use of a hybrid power plant with a diesel generator, batteries and traction motors. All engines are placed in the stern of the hull, batteries are in the bow. A single bus was used to provide power to all systems, from engines to weapons electronics.


RTK Type-X with CPWS Gen.2 combat module

In a report from the assembly shop, the chassis and chassis elements were shown in sufficient detail. On each side there are seven road wheels with individual suspension on the balancers. All rollers are equipped with external shock absorbers. The drive wheels are located in the stern. A solid rubber track is used.

It is alleged that on board the car there is all the necessary equipment for traveling by commands or in automatic mode, navigation, communications, etc. Electronics are assembled in blocks with the possibility of quick replacement - to repair or change the capabilities of the machine. Of all the devices from the outside, only blocks of cameras and rangefinders are visible, located in front of the fenders. Their layout indicates the possibility of tracking a wide sector of the front hemisphere, sufficient for driving.

According to the developers, the Type-X RTK will be able to independently move along the highway and rough terrain with a maximum speed of 80 km / h. Cruising range - 600 km. Depending on current needs, it is possible to drive using a diesel engine or on batteries.

Some of the characteristics and features of the platform are still unknown. In particular, the parameters of bulletproof booking, patency characteristics, etc. were not specified. Until the completion of full-fledged tests, questions of the effectiveness of the electronic systems of remote and autonomous control will be relevant.

Prototype tower


The Type-X platform can be equipped with any combat module weighing no more than 2-3 tons. One of the options for this configuration has already been shown as an advertising image. There is also another option - it was implemented on a prototype recently completed and shown to potential customers.


Previously demonstrated variant of the BBM Type-X

In this case, the CPWS Gen.2 combat module from John Cokerill (formerly CMI Defense) is mounted on a standard shoulder strap of the chassis roof. Initially, it was a low-profile inhabited tower with missile, cannon and machine gun weapons. For use on Milrem Type-X or similar platforms, the design has been finalized - with the removal of full-time controls and the installation of remote controls.

The experienced RTK received a 25-mm automatic gun and a normal caliber machine gun. The design of the combat module allows you to install similar systems of different types, up to 30 mm guns of different models. On the starboard side there is a launcher for two guided missiles - their type is also selected by the customer. Smoke grenade launchers are provided.

On the roof of the tower is an optoelectronic unit with day and night surveillance equipment, as well as a laser range finder. It is proposed to use it as a panoramic sight, providing both surveillance and guidance weapons.

Plans for the future


Back in April, Milrem Robotics management claimed that the Type-X complex had already found its customer. The development of the project was almost completely paid for by an unnamed country. It is possible that on June 17 the finished prototype was shown to this particular customer, however, accurate data on this subject is still not available.


The concept of a mobile control center RTK based on a wheeled armored personnel carrier

The company's plans for the near future include the completion of all construction and preparation of a prototype for testing. Factory tests are expected to begin before the end of the third quarter of this year. Apparently, the RTK with the CPWS Gen.2 combat module will be the first to test. In the future, other versions of the complex with other weapons and equipment may appear, including non-military purpose.

Upcoming tests will show the real potential of the new robotic complex - and the customer who paid for the development will be able to draw conclusions. In addition, other countries will have the opportunity to evaluate RTK not only for advertising. It is possible that all this will affect the circle of potential customers.

Advanced Development


The direction of relatively heavy military-purpose RTKs is of great interest to different customers and there are already a number of similar projects from different countries. In this regard, the Type-X project is one of the most advanced developments, which in the future may take part in the formation of a full-fledged market for combat RTKs.

At the moment, the organization-developer is looking to the future with optimism. The completion of the assembly of the first prototype and its demonstration to the customer becomes an additional reason for high ratings and positive forecasts. At the same time, the project is far from its completion, and there are still serious risks that could affect its progress and commercial results.

The proposed Milrem Type-X in the proposed form looks very interesting from different points of view, but its future remains uncertain. Clarity will appear only after confirming the characteristics and capabilities in practice. The tests will start in the coming months, and then it will be possible to draw conclusions.
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24 comments
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  1. -4
    26 June 2020 18: 12
    To the author, what for the third time here is an advertisement for a company that has nothing but a set of keys and screwdrivers?
    This is not a production, these are over-aged lego assemblers.
    You, if not in the "childish world" store, like that, only for adult gamers.
    1. 0
      26 June 2020 18: 18
      He see in proportion
  2. -1
    26 June 2020 18: 22
    If you read Western publishing houses, or US publishing houses, then there are a lot of articles about these "toys for adults" or "giant toys". Who believe (the NATO members themselves) that this is MilRem's development, just a waste of money and time. And that this is the day before yesterday.
    1. +7
      26 June 2020 18: 54
      junk of the day before yesterday? Now, if there was a similar article about Nerekhta or Uranus-9, then there would be a bunch of enthusiastic exclamations from the Urikals. However, someone bought this shit from them. Do not tell me how many Nerekht or Uranium ordered from us? we are all silent about the fact that both Uranus and Nerekhta are also just the same radio-controlled tanks
      1. 0
        26 June 2020 19: 03
        Their army has already returned to the development, as completely unsuitable for battle.
      2. -2
        26 June 2020 22: 21
        Klingon-you can see genetically do not like Russia. Then, if you roam the Aglitsky mov, read foreign newspapers where they write that he has one written in his papers, but in fact, it’s just a big radio-controlled tank. Not more. By the way, ISIS applied such technologies 5 years ago
        1. 0
          27 June 2020 09: 05
          what does love or dislike Russia? what does this have to do with the issue? let's stay on a material level, I wrote above that such our Russian developments are absolutely no better. But there are customers for this thing, but not for our developments. What is this talking about? And I’m not sure that the Ministry of Defense will order them except for a fire tank and a mine clearing vehicle.
          1. +1
            28 June 2020 07: 56
            By the way, there is not a single real video of this machine on the network, and I doubt very much that there are customers, and whether they will be at all. Think logically: when buying an expensive luxury car, will you buy a well-known brand or exactly the same, at the same price, but made in Somalia or Congo? Just a small country, Estonia, decided to catch up with the large arms producing countries.
    2. 0
      29 June 2020 08: 23
      Most likely, these companies create concepts so as not to distract the "big" comrades ... Then, with the help of competitions, someone will win, someone will lose. And the "Big" comrades will simply buy the concept and master it.
  3. +1
    26 June 2020 19: 01
    For the next 5-10 years only as special machines. For mine clearance, counter-terrorism operations, work in the emergency zone. As a combat unit in the army is definitely not, too early.
    1. -2
      26 June 2020 19: 06
      with this I completely agree with you. But in this Estonian tank, as I understand it, the whole trick is its modularity and non-trivial drive
      1. -2
        26 June 2020 19: 09
        They will be able to do something suitable, it will be good, such small companies are moving the industry. Yes, and there is a need for such machines, but in very narrow areas.
      2. -1
        26 June 2020 22: 16
        The whole thing is that it is in a single copy, it is easily knocked out from an RPG and costs a lot of money
    2. 0
      26 June 2020 20: 34
      5-10 years is the height of optimism, 50 years at least. After 10 years, in the best case, the problem of an extremely short view through the sighting camera-monitor for the operator will be solved, a synthesized panoramic picture will appear with viewing through BP glasses. But the very concept of remote control of a combat vehicle is conceptually flawed, because it has an unavoidable vulnerability for electronic warfare. Therefore, such bots will still be narrow-minded.
      Full-fledged land combat drones will be possible no earlier than the appearance of a special AI that realizes recognition and understanding of the surrounding space. Those. not just building a 3D model of space, but recognition and analysis: like this object, it’s not a pillar, it’s its infantryman standing and aiming right out that window, and in that window it’s not a geranium pot, but the head of an enemy grenade launcher aiming at a drone .
      1. -3
        26 June 2020 21: 25
        EW does not matter, how to deal with it is completely understandable, there is no threat. Just a decrease or increase ratio.
        In general, I agree.
        No one can know how technology will evolve. In 2010, the battle between the UAV and the fighter seemed fantastic, today the UAV can bring down an airplane, a training battle with the fighter is planned in a year. For 5-10 years, it is difficult to predict something in technology.
        1. +1
          27 June 2020 02: 46
          It's hard to predict technology for a hundred years. And the forecast for fifteen years is generally obvious, just a primitive extrapolation. For example, already in 2004 all interested approximately knew what would happen in this area in 10-15 years. They knew because in the USA the rally of land drones under the DARPA program had already begun. Yes, in fact, after 15 years, everything is the same, only already almost-almost suitable for mass introduction, there are only 50 years left until the crowded out manned cars)))
          With aircraft, another situation. The UAV problem with AI is not so acute, there are very few objects for analysis - a maximum of one / ten aircraft in one battle, and all their properties are known in advance (all aircraft models in the world are known), their properties, algorithms, etc. can be pre-registered. And most importantly, the airspace is empty, there are no other objects besides the aircraft themselves, and therefore the requirements for recognition and analysis for air combat are relatively modest, which are already being implemented in principle.
          So, there are no unexpected technological breakthroughs and are not expected, all "miracles" for decades ahead are spelled out in the programs of DARPA and similar ones.
          1. -1
            27 June 2020 09: 27
            Oh my god! Adequate person on this site! Well, about the fact that everything is already predicted, I do not particularly agree, in any case, the place of hope for a technical “breakthrough” and human stupidity must be left. But in general, I agree with the assessment, for 10 ~ 15 years forecasts come true at 70-80% percent. But for example, the plans in the late 80s were greatly adjusted by the collapse of the USSR, almost all military programs reduced their speed.
            I agree with the assessment of ground-based equipment that the work for AI is tens of times more difficult, plus problems with the propagation of a radio signal at the surface of the earth, and how to determine one’s friend or another, it’s at the parade of all forms, in reality they are all the same.
            Just do not need about electronic warfare, measures and systems for electronic protection are so far ahead of electronic suppression that they make most of the "magic" systems from the Zvezda channel completely useless. Reduce the range and quality of the signal, yes, but no more.
            1. +1
              27 June 2020 18: 09
              Breakthroughs are of course theoretically possible, but, IMHO, the main wave of knowledge of the world, based on a scientific approach and the industrial revolution, has already happened in the 20th century, now we are on the "saturation plateau" of a damping exponent, further progress will be quantitative, but not qualitative. Only the emergence of really powerful AI will allow for the next big leap.
              About countering EW is not Copenhagen, so I take your word for it)))
  4. -1
    27 June 2020 04: 34
    as for me, the machine is large and large, with 12 tons of chassis and 3 tons of turret, the defense seems rather weak, its value is very doubtful, it’s likely to be multiplied by zero from a groats for sure, or maybe from a smaller shooter
  5. +1
    27 June 2020 09: 07
    Quote: DeKo
    The whole thing is that it is in a single copy, it is easily knocked out from an RPG and costs a lot of money

    and Uranus and Nerekhta do not make their way? force field around them? wassat
    and tanks from RPGs make their way if you know where to get wassat
  6. 0
    27 June 2020 09: 14
    Quote: Passing by
    It's hard to predict technology for a hundred years. And the forecast for fifteen years is generally obvious, just a primitive extrapolation. For example, already in 2004 all interested approximately knew what would happen in this area in 10-15 years. They knew because in the USA the rally of land drones under the DARPA program had already begun. Yes, in fact, after 15 years, everything is the same, only already almost-almost suitable for mass introduction, there are only 50 years left until the crowded out manned cars)))
    With aircraft, another situation. The UAV problem with AI is not so acute, there are very few objects for analysis - a maximum of one / ten aircraft in one battle, and all their properties are known in advance (all aircraft models in the world are known), their properties, algorithms, etc. can be pre-registered. And most importantly, the airspace is empty, there are no other objects besides the aircraft themselves, and therefore the requirements for recognition and analysis for air combat are relatively modest, which are already being implemented in principle.
    So, there are no unexpected technological breakthroughs and are not expected, all "miracles" for decades ahead are spelled out in the programs of DARPA and similar ones.

    if the AI ​​works according to a predefined program, then this is no longer an AI but just a computer that will not differ much from what we have under the table. If we talk about AI, then he himself must understand what kind of object it is, whether it is dangerous or not and make a decision based on analysis. The same orientation on the ground and the choice of the best route.
    And so, if you just load a map into the car, it will also go along it at a given speed, but what will happen if a person suddenly enters the road? will she react? And How? that's the essence of AI
  7. 0
    27 June 2020 18: 44
    gee-gee-gee
    thanks, neighing
  8. 0
    7 August 2020 17: 34
    Estonians and military equipment, this is already a funny anecdote.
    Although Ukrainians may be sold, these buy all sorts of crap, the main thing is that from there.
  9. 0
    17 August 2020 00: 13
    It's not a car, it's a shooting gallery for RPGs and any kind of RPG / EMI devices

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