ST Kinetics Unveils Weaponised Probot

15 Februari 2018

The Weaponised Probot is based on the Israeli-made Probot logistics and medical evacuation unmanned ground vehicle. (photo : Jane's)

ST Kinetics, the land systems and specialty vehicles division of Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering, revealed at the Singapore Airshow 2018 exhibition a weaponised unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed to perform reconnaissance and combat missions in support of dismounted troops or armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs).

Called the Weaponised Probot, the UGV is based on Israeli-firm Roboteam’s Probot (Professional Robot) logistics and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) platform. ST Kinetics engineers have taken advantage of the Probot’s modular 215 kg base chassis – measuring 1.4 m long, 1.21 m wide, and 0.58 m high – which can carry a large payload capacity of 750 kg, to integrate its Adder RMG remote control weapon station (RCWS).

According to ST Kinetics’ specifications, the Weaponised Probot has a maximum speed of 8.2 km/h and is capable of negotiating stairs and other challenging terrain in tight spaces, making it particularly suited for urban environments. A 48 V mil-spec rechargeable battery provides up to 8 hours of operation.

ST Kinetics is quoting a control range of 500 m, with the vehicle controlled via the joystick-type ruggedised operator control unit-1 (ROCU-1) when performing basic manoeuvres within the operator’s direct line-of-sight. However, the unit does not display the video feed from the vehicle’s optical sensors and is unable to command the Adder RMG RCWS; full functionality and non-line-of-sight command is provided by the ROCU-7 control and display unit, which has been customised with proprietary control, navigation (with manual, semi-autonomous, and ‘follow me’ modes), targeting, and tracking algorithms developed by the company’s engineers.

The Adder RMG, which weighs less than 150 kg, is equipped with a sighting and video tracking system that is claimed to offer a high hit probability regardless of whether the platform or the target is stationary or moving, traversing 126° in the azimuth and -10 to 45° in elevation.

(Jane's)