THeMIS UGV Can Fire Remote Weapons, Save Lives, and Dispose of IEDs

The modern battlefields tend to become more and more technologized. Strategies are becoming increasingly complex, and modern armies are extensively trying to diversify their weaponry and vehicle line-up.

The demand for remote-controlled unmanned vehicles is increasing every year, and Milrem Robotics tries to satisfy these needs with the THeMIS. It represents a multi-role unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) intended to reduce the number of fighting troops on the battleground. Its adoption rate is relatively high, with the THeMIS vehicles being deployed in 11 countries, 7 of which are NATO members, including Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, the UK, and the U.S.

It stands out thanks to the open architecture that enables it to be rapidly configured to be best prepared for the mission at hand. The configurations can vary from being equipped to serve transportation duties to a weaponized device performing ordnance disposal tasks or even offering intelligence support.

The base platform from which all the other variants are configured is a very competent machine. It boasts a hybrid diesel-electric drive system, low noise signature, low center of gravity, and high stability during intricate maneuvers, and not least, a maximum payload capability of 1,650 pounds (750 kg).

The vehicle can reach a top speed of 12,5 mph (20 kph), climb a maximum grade of 60 percent, and drive on a slope of no more than 30 degress inclination - those are very commendable capabilities, considering its 3,600 lbs (1,630 kg) weight in the base configuration.

The ground clearance of the THeMIS can vary between 16 to 24 inches (40 to 60 cm), depending on the payload carried. The hybrid-electric drive develops a maximum pulling force of 15,000 Newtons, while the average runtime of the UGV can vary between 12 to 15 hours in hybrid mode.

The range of the remote-controlled deployment is about 1,5 km in plain line of sight, and the base platform is fitted with LiDAR sensors and Infrared, thermal, and HDR cameras. Furthermore, it benefits from a lighting assembly consisting of LED and also infrared. The THeMIS is designed for aircraft transportation, and can be towed by ground vehicles with speeds of a maximum of 50 mph (80 kph).

THeMIS can be fitted with loads of equipment, meaning it can perform diverse activities on the battlefield. Its roles can be divided into four categories, namely logistics, combat & intelligence & surveillance (ISR), reconnaissance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).

The logistics part of a mission can be completed successfully with the help of THeMIS, which is able to significantly reduce the load and strain of carrying equipment on the soldiers, while heavy weapons and extra gear will no longer restrict the movement of ground troops. In cargo configuration, the UGV can carry absolutely everything a soldier would need on the battelfield, and it can also be outfitted with various types of tie-downs and restraints to prevent load shifts during vehicle movement. Separately, the Cargo CASEVAC version of the thing has one critical purpose: to provide urgent evacuation of casualties and transport them to higher-level medical facilities.

The THeMIS Combat variants are specially designed to provide direct fire support, ensuring high precision targeting day or night, increased stand-off distance, and self-stabilizing remote-controlled weapon systems. They can be equipped with mortars, light or heavy machine guns, 40 mm grenade launchers, 30mm autocannons, and anti-tank missile systems. Even more, each of these platforms can be customized depending on the needs of the customer.

The mortar carrier variant, for instance, can be customized to support a mortar up to 81 mm. The suspension system is specially designed to cope with irregularities on the road and safely transport the mortar and all other needed kit and ammunition for rapid deployment.

THeMIS Combat Hero-120, developed together with UVision, is created to utilize up to six loitering munition systems that specifically represent a combination of long-range surveillance and great firepower. It can provide efficient fire support against tanks and other strategic objectives with its 7,7 lbs (3,5 kg) warhead that can stay airborne for up to 60 minutes before reaching its target.

The Combat Support UGV can assist military or special intervention police units during high treat, riot control, or urban counterterrorist scenarios. It can be equipped with light remote weapon systems and can carry stretchers, a bumper kit, equipment storage boxes, and other attachments for extra equipment on the fenders.

For surveillance, the THeMIS variants which fit this category are mainly intended to make use of their multi-sensor intelligence-gathering capabilities. They can gather vital information over a wide area of operation as well as increase situational awareness during precarious encounters and also offering battle damage assessment assistance.

The Observe Shark for instance serves as an electro-optical counter unmanned aerial platform created alongside Marduk Shark. It can offer valuable support by accurately detecting, classifying, and targeting enemy drones or other airborne devices aided by using artificial intelligence modeling. Furthermore, the mobile platform can also be upgraded with many sensors and effectors such as radars, RF detectors, jammers, or multi-purpose laser equipment.

Last but not least, the THeMIS UGV can also be deployed on the battleground as a device that detects and disposes of IEDs. For this purpose, Milrem Robotics has created the THeMIS GroundEye in collaboration with Raytheon. The GroundEye system comes with low false alarm rates, day and night operation. It boasts detection, confirmation, and diagnosis of all types of buried IED targets, thus including zero metal content devices. The imagery it creates is easy to interpret, as displays the exact shape, orientation, and location of the enemy buried target.

Milrem Robotics has done something that many other military-orientated manufacturers struggle to obtain, namely create a hardware that may be the most helpful tool for the modern armed forces. THeMIS' capabilities were most recently tested during a live fire exercise performed by the Estonian Defense Forces Artillery Battalion (second video below).