Deadly drone-launching robotic tank to start field tests

A deadly drone-launching robotic tank is to begin field tests.

The so-called ROBUST unmanned vehicle will be able to enter hostile territory and fire a range of armaments, including guided missiles.

Announced during this month’s Eurosatory Defense and Security Exhibition, the tank has been developed by the Israel Ministry of Defense 's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the Tank and APC Directorate, and Elbit Systems.

ROBUST is expected to start field tests during 2023 in “representative scenarios”.

The vehicle features a capsuled drone released by a robotic pincer, which flies off for forward reconnaissance missions.

The system also incorporate sights, a 30 mm autonomous turret, a missile launcher, and anti-tank guided "Spike" missiles.

Elbit Systems say: “The Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle (M-RCV)'s capabilities include a highly autonomous solution for forward reconnaissance, and controlled lethality in all-terrain conditions.

“It is operational during the day and night in all-weather scenarios, while emphasising operational effectiveness, simplicity, minimum operator intervention, and integration into heterogeneous unmanned arrays.

"The system was developed as part of the autonomous battlefield concept led in the DDR&D in collaboration with the Tank and APC Directorate while implementing an open architecture for integrating future capabilities and integrating the robot alongside other tools and capabilities."