The BSDA 2026 defense industry exhibition (Black Sea Defense, Aerospace and Security) is taking place in Bucharest on May 13–15 this year. Romanian company IRUM, based in Reghin, in Mureș County in the central part of the country, presented the IRON-690 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), configured as a tractor for military logistics missions in difficult terrain. It was developed on the basis of the TAF 690 series of tractors in cooperation with the state-owned defense company Romarm.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
It is a modular off-road platform based on a proven design of forestry and industrial machines produced by the company, adapted for military and logistics missions as well as operations in extreme terrain. Its rigid, durable articulated chassis offers excellent off-road maneuverability, especially in difficult conditions such as mud, steep slopes, forests, and other inaccessible areas. It provides high traction, with substantial ground clearance and stability, thanks to a differential lock for maximum grip.
The manufacturer offers the ability to configure the platform for specific user tasks, with optional modular Iron Shell Armor ballistic protection at various levels compliant with the NATO STANAG 4569 standard. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system.
The vehicle is 6.19 m long and has 500 mm of ground clearance. The manufacturer offers two Perkins Diesel engine options: a 136 hp, or 100 kW, version for civilian applications and a 122 hp, or 90 kW, version for military applications, both delivering maximum torque of 550 Nm at 1,500 rpm. The vehicle can negotiate gradients of up to 70%, or 35°. Its useful payload is as much as 7 tons, while its turning diameter is 12 m. It is fitted with agricultural/forestry tires with a tread width of 21.3 inches and 26-inch rims.
The vehicle can be remotely controlled or operate semi-autonomously, while the manufacturer also offers the option of integrating systems for full autonomy. It comprises an advanced C2 control system with a MIMO datalink that is resistant to jamming, uses AES-256 encryption, and is compatible with the NATO STANAG 4586 standard. It offers sensor fusion in the form of day and night cameras, thermal imaging sensors, a LiDAR laser imaging sensor, stereo cameras with an IMU, and an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF).
The navigation system offers functionalities such as Dead Reckoning navigation, automatic Return-to-Home, obstacle avoidance, and emergency modes in the event of loss of communication.
Interestingly, the modular design allows rapid adaptation to other military missions, such as transport or reconnaissance.
IRUM is a Romanian manufacturer specializing in machinery for extreme conditions, developing robust and reliable platforms adapted to current security requirements and operation in difficult environments.
“IRON-690 reflects our commitment to developing solutions that put personnel safety and operational efficiency first. The platform reduces human exposure and supports critical missions in difficult conditions, contributing to a modern approach to mobility in defensive operations,” said Mircea Eugen Oltean, CEO of IRUM.