According to publications by foreign specialized media, the German company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG) and its partner Israel Aerospace Industries / ELTA Systems Ltd. (IAI / ELTA) jointly participated in the third stage of practical tests of uninhabited ground vehicles (UGV) conducted by the Bundeswehr. At the center of the tests performed was the combat robot "REX" (REX) developed by the companies.
The tests were conducted as part of the study "Unmanned ground vehicles to support dismounted forces", also known as "Cargo Mule" (Cargo Mule). As part of this project, the Bundeswehr is testing various systems available on the market in changing combat scenarios. The field tests conducted in the first half of September 2021 at the Jagerbruck military training ground in Torgelov represent the third and last part of the test series, which in previous years had already been held in Hammelburg and Lehnin. The highlight of the tests in Torgelov was the execution of the combat shooting program by the combat robot (robot-technical complex, RTK) "REX".
Combat RTK Rex
It is reported that the Bundeswehr intends to equip heavy RTC platoons to transport weapons and materiel. The study examines the extent to which RTCs currently available on the market are able to provide significant support to the infantry. According to FFG's press release, the company's intention and goal was also to obtain information about the mobility of a combat robot on rough terrain, conduct remote tests and find out how appropriate it is, for example, to switch between remote control and autonomous use.
The third test launch of the "cargo mule" was conducted by servicemen of the 6th company of the security battalion. The field tests were supervised by representatives of the Department for the Development of the Ground Forces and the Federal Department for Armaments, Information Technology and the Use of the Bundeswehr, together with researchers from the Institute of Communications, Information Processing and Ergonomics. Fraunhofer (FKIE). As for the industry, in addition to FFG / IAI, UGV, products from Elbit Systems, Diehl Defense / Henschel and KMW/ Milrem Robotics were also subjected to rigorous tests at the Bundeswehr landfills.
According to FFG, the REX hybrid/electric vehicle "proved to be a particularly versatile and reliable UGV capable of facilitating and supporting the actions of personnel in the field and significantly increasing their combat capabilities."
According to manufacturers, the REX combat robot has a payload of more than a ton and allows dismounted units to deliver their equipment and resources to positions using remote control or autonomously, provide urgent assistance to the wounded, monitor the battlefield from a closed position, and use installed weapons systems.
According to the materials of the resource esut.de
