XTEK Limited and Europe’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics showcase ballistic protection for unmanned ground vehicles ()UGVs at Eurosatory 2022. A key threat in field operations of UGVs is that of critical ballistic strikes, resulting in disabled assets. Utilising their expert knowledge in the field of ballistic protection, XTEK has developed a fully composite fender, with in-built ballistic protection provided to the THeMIS’ critical communications and control systems, greatly reducing the potential for a critical strike.
Milrem Robotics and XTEK have been collaborating since 2021. During this time, the European-based robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics signed a distribution and maintenance agreement with XTEK and delivered the first THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) to the Australian homeland security specialist. The first THeMIS has been used by XTEK, for trial, evaluation, and demonstration purposes.
The specially designed fender provides the lightest protection to NIJ Standard 0108.01 Level III, covering small arms and most common rifle threats. Utilising XTEK’s XTclave™ patented consolidation technology, the fully composite construction keeps weight to a minimum, reducing the impact on operational loadout for the UGV. Future development work is focused on providing increased levels of protection, specifically against AP and sniper ammunition, whilst maintaining minimal weight increase to the vehicle.
The THeMIS UGV is an operationally proven multi-role UGV with an open architecture that enables it to be rapidly configured from having a transport function to being weaponised, performing ordnance disposal, or supporting intelligence operations according to the nature of the mission. Since the signing of an MoU, the two companies have also signed an agreement making XTEK the exclusive distributor of the THeMIS UGV, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle, and Milrem’s Intelligent Functions Integration Kit in Australia and New Zealand.
