The armed PIAP HUNTeR (in the reconnaissance variant) made its debut in challenging training ground conditions during the Field Experimentation Exercises (FEX). For the first time, for over a week, soldiers had the opportunity to learn and assess the capabilities of using an armed, remotely operated AREX ZMU-03 module on an unmanned wheeled vehicle in various tactical situations.
Photo: Anna Jurczak, Łukasiewicz-ŁIT
The development of the PIAP HUNTeR robot with the ZMU-03 turret is the result of cooperation between two Polish companies: the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements PIAP and the Automation and Measurement Equipment Department of AREX (a company within the WB Group).
The Polish combat robot (in the reconnaissance variant) made its debut in challenging training ground conditions during the experimental Field Experimentation Exercises (FEX). For the first time, for over a week, soldiers had the opportunity to learn and assess the capabilities of using an armed unmanned wheeled vehicle in various tactical situations.
PIAP HUNTeR performed exceptionally well. The robot demonstrated high off-road capabilities, surpassing armored vehicles in some situations. It accompanied fast-moving units in a challenging, sandy area. The PIAP HUNTeR with the remote AREX ZMU-03 weapon module was used for threat detection, providing fire support, and deploying smoke screens.
Photo: Anna Jurczak, Łukasiewicz-ŁIT
All tasks were carried out in realistic conditions, with the active participation of soldiers and military vehicles belonging to the Polish Armed Forces. The experiences from the FEX exercises can be used for future implementation of unmanned ground vehicles within the battalion of future concept being developed by the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.
FEX exercises are an invitation from the Polish Armed Forces to engage in dialogue between military commanders and suppliers of the latest, often futuristic solutions for the military. They also contribute to the improvement of products to better meet the requirements of the modern battlefield.
PIAP HUNTeR unmanned ground veheicle
PIAP HUNTeR is a Polish project of an unmanned ground vehicle. The robot can be used for observation and patrolling of borders, military grounds, or urban areas, as well as providing fire support to light infantry or protecting mechanized military columns. PIAP HUNTeR is equipped with daytime and thermal cameras, as well as a radio communication system.
The robot has a weight of over four tons and is nearly five meters long. The vehicle has a hybrid drive that includes a power generator and electric traction motors. The power system used allows for extended operation of the robot, and enables silent movement in electric-only mode.
Photo: Anna Jurczak, Łukasiewicz-ŁIT
PIAP HUNTeR reaches a maximum speed of over 50 km/h. The platform is equipped with six high-resolution cameras. The optic systems used in the unmanned AREX ZMU-03 turret can additionally help the operator control the vehicle or detect enemies.
The one-meter-diameter wheels, combined with the 4×4 drive system, provide the robotic platform with high off-road capability. This is further enhanced by the differential lock mechanisms and two steering axles implemented by the Łukasiewicz-PIAP engineers.
During the exercises, PIAP HUNTeR was presented in tandem with the 320-kilogram heavy EOD robot PIAP IBIS. The smaller system can serve as observation support with its daytime-nighttime camera and thermal camera head. The robots mutually exchange radio signals, extending the operational range of the vehicles.
AREX ZMU-03 Turret
Photo: WB Group
During the Field Experimentation Exercises in Nowa Dęba, the PIAP HUNTeR robot was presented in a reconnaissance platform configuration equipped with an unmanned ZMU-03 turret. The armament of the module included a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and smoke grenade launchers. Optionally, the turret can also be equipped with a small unmanned aerial vehicle, such as the X-FRONTER.
The lightweight turret system ZMU-03 was developed by the Automation and Measurement Equipment Department of AREX (a company within the WB Group). In addition to firearms, it has an observation head with daytime and thermal cameras, as well as a laser rangefinder. This armament module can be installed on various wheeled vehicles, however, the FEX was the first time it was integrated with an unmanned ground platform.
The ZMU-03 is equipped with a weapon and observation head stabilization system. Thanks to automatic detection and tracking of selected objects, the armament module can precisely observe targets and engage in accurate fire even when the carrier is moving in challenging terrain. The turret can be controlled from an operator’s station on the vehicle or remotely using a portable console.
Control of the ZMU-03 using the U-Gate Personal Command and Observation System developed by the WB Group was also demonstrated for the first time during the FEX. It was shown to the soldiers that the operator, using augmented reality technology, could not only observe but also select targets and engage in fire from a remote weapon module.
It is worth noting that the armed HUNTeR was presented in a version that allowed soldiers to control the platform in conditions of radio signal jamming. A second control console can be installed directly on the vehicle. This design is intended to maintain control in crisis situations.
PIAP HUNTeR armed with the ZMU-03 can meet the military’s expectations for armed unmanned ground vehicles. The robot can be offered by the manufacturer in both fully remotely operated and semi-autonomous configurations. The latter assists and relieves the operator by using terrain recognition systems based on installed lidars. In this mode, the HUNTeR can follow soldiers or move along a specified route.
The armament provided by AREX can be digitally linked to other systems within the WB Group. Perhaps in the future, targeting may be supported by an artificial intelligence module like EYEQ during initial target analysis.