Military expert Leonkov: robotic platforms have different purposes for their own
The Estonian robotic platform THeMIS UGV from Milrem Robotics, which the Russian Armed Forces (AF) destroyed for the first time in the zone of a special military operation (SVO), is a universal complex made on the principle of a tracked track, military expert Alexey Leonkov said. In a conversation with Lenta.<url>" he told us what such platforms can be used for and whether it is difficult to destroy them.
According to the expert, the Estonian THeMIS UGV consists of two tracks with a cargo base, that is, a platform, between them. By installing various modules on this platform, you can turn it into a robotic system for various purposes.
The purpose of robotic platforms can be different
Ground-based robotic systems are used for three types of tasks. The first assignment is intelligence, including for counter–battery warfare. The platform is able to sneak up very close in order to give out more accurate coordinates, for example, by mortar calculations that work from closed firing positions or even by snipers. "That is, such a robot will be standing somewhere in the bushes and will track all this," Leonkov said.
The second purpose is fire support, that is, the robot can accompany attacking units. The third role is transport and evacuation, which consists in the delivery of shells and the evacuation of fighters.
Alexey Leonkov
military expert
"By the way, the French used this drone in combat operations in Mali, where they tested it in all its guises. If we are talking about its combat version, then it can also put on itself small-arms automatic weapons, a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, as the advertisement claims, a 40-millimeter automatic grenade launcher and even anti—tank guided missiles," the source told <url>.
One robot destroyed another
Judging by the published video from the drone, the THeMIS UGV platform destroyed in its zone was a transport version of this drone, since it was unarmed, Leonkov believes. According to him, with the help of such a transport vehicle, they most likely provided hidden logistics for the supply of their units, that is, they transported shells and, possibly, evacuated the wounded.
Alexey Leonkov
military expert
Such systems can only be detected from the air, the expert added. To do this, you need a drone equipped with an appropriate camera that will distinguish a robotic drone on the earth's surface and give target designation to a barrage of ammunition, that is, a kamikaze drone, he believes. "In this case, he can completely destroy it, because the speed of the kamikaze drone is much higher than that of this robotic complex," Leonkov noted.
The interlocutor of the "Tape.ru" suggested that there may be dozens of similar robotic ground platforms in the area of its operation. "The following fact was noticed: Ukraine complains all the time about the shortage of shells on the front line, we monitor the highways where a car carrying shells can pass, even under the guise of a civilian, but nothing drives, and they do not run out of shells. It can be assumed that it is precisely due to such robotic systems that delivery is carried out," he explained.
Earlier it became known that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the first time destroyed the Estonian robotic platform THeMIS UGV from Milrem Robotics in its zone. Footage of the destruction of the equipment appeared on the network.