Germany-based Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) just released video footage showing its new “LEGUAN RC”. The LEGUAN RC (Remote-Controlled) can be remotely operated from a safe distance in high-risk situations. Full access to all functions of the bridge laying tank is given to the soldiers in the field from a distance. There are also fundamental tactical considerations in favor of remote control and the use of autonomous military systems: Such systems take over any task that is dumb, dull, dangerous and/or dirty. As an example, area surveillance missions, while not directly be dangerous, but are mentally demanding over time.
The LEGUAN’s remote control system, developed in cooperation with Estonian robot vehicle manufacturer Milrem Robotics, consists of several components. On the vehicle side, the vehicle control module (VCM) is retrofitted to the right side of any variant of the vehicle next to the laying arm. The vehicle is controlled via the operator control module (OCM) this with the aid of a simple hand controller. The successful construction of the LEGUAN RC prototype provides the technical basis for the remote control of other platforms, such as minesweepers or recovery vehicles.
The LEGUAN LEOPARD 2 offers the mobility of the LEOPARD 2 main battle tank and a maximum of identical logistics. The 14 m and 26 m bridges comply with the strictest MLC 80 load carrying capacity requirements and offer potential for further expansion. A modern, integrated measurement system ensures a safe and automatic recognition of the crossing capacity that has already been used, thus enabling the remaining bridge load capacity to be precisely calculated. This system offers many additional equipment features, such as a cooling system, auxiliary power generator and all-round vision gear, which guarantee top-notch performance and endurance.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG (KMW) is an arms industry company based in Munich, Germany. KMW was formed in 1999 when the defense division of KraussMaffei Group was spun off and merged with Wegmann & Co. Since 2015, KMW is part of KMW+Nexter Defense Systems. This ranges from air-transportable and heavily armoured wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, AMPV, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER) and reconnaissance, air defence and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, remote controlled howitzer 155, PzH 2000, DONAR and AGM), to main battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), infantry fighting vehicles (PUMA) and bridge laying systems.
