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Defence & Space

Rheinmetall and Hologate sign strategic cooperation agreement for XR and VR simulation solutions

2024-12-03

Rheinmetall and Hologate announce the start of a strategic cooperation. The aim is to develop innovative simulation solutions. Both companies combine expertise…

Rheinmetall completes acquisition of Loc Performance in the USA

2024-12-02

Rheinmetall completes acquisition of US vehicle specialist Loc Performance Products. Market presence in future as American Rheinmetall Vehicles, LLC.

Russian Offensive Against Ukraine’s Energy Industry

2024-11-08

The Russians are stockpiling missiles to launch another aerial offensive. On one hand, this shows the weakness of the Russian industry,…

Will the conflict in the Middle East affect the Russian “Special Operation”?

2024-10-04

Iran had been announcing retaliatory actions for many months. Finally, it carried out a large-scale attack on targets in Israel. Russian…

M1A1FEP Abrams in the 1st Tank Battalion from Żurawica

2024-11-26

The 1st Tank Battalion stationed in Żurawica, subordinate to the 19th Mechanized Brigade, has received the second batch of M1A1FEP Abrams…

India Conducts Test of New Hypersonic Missile

2024-11-26

India has conducted a second successful flight test of a hypersonic missile demonstrator, which differs from the previously tested scramjet-powered HSTDV (Hypersonic…

Rheinmetall and Hologate sign strategic cooperation agreement for XR and VR simulation solutions

2024-12-03

Rheinmetall and Hologate announce the start of a strategic cooperation. The aim is to develop innovative simulation solutions. Both companies combine expertise…

Thales at Eurosatory 2024: Trusted intelligence serving the Armed Forces

2024-06-17

Thales Group will be showing the latest technologies to support the sovereignty, safety and sustainability of nations.

GEF’25: An Event Uniting Global Security Expertise and Innovation in Ankara

2024-11-25

The International Security and Defence Fair (IGEF’25) is set to convene in Ankara’s ATO Congresium, Congress and Exhibition Center, bringing together…

CS WOT participating in international exchange of experience on loitering ammunition

2024-11-25

On November 19-20, the Loitering Munitions Conference, the world’s first conference dedicated to loitering munition systems, was held in London. The…

Rheinmetall and Hologate sign strategic cooperation agreement for XR and VR simulation solutions

2024-12-03

Rheinmetall and Hologate announce the start of a strategic cooperation. The aim is to develop innovative simulation solutions. Both companies combine expertise…

Rheinmetall completes acquisition of Loc Performance in the USA

2024-12-02

Rheinmetall completes acquisition of US vehicle specialist Loc Performance Products. Market presence in future as American Rheinmetall Vehicles, LLC.

Italian National Fire Corps to strengthen capabilities with specialized AW139

2024-11-06

The Italian National Fire Corps (Vigili del Fuoco, part of the Ministry of the Interior) will introduce eight AW139 intermediate…

One million rounds of shotgun ammunition from FAM Pionki for the Polish Police

2024-09-30

The Polish National Police Headquarters awarded FAM Pionki – Fabryka Amunicji Myśliwskiej (Hunting Ammunition Factory) – a contract for the supply…

M1A1FEP Abrams in the 1st Tank Battalion from Żurawica

2024-11-26

The 1st Tank Battalion stationed in Żurawica, subordinate to the 19th Mechanized Brigade, has received the second batch of M1A1FEP Abrams…

India Conducts Test of New Hypersonic Missile

2024-11-26

India has conducted a second successful flight test of a hypersonic missile demonstrator, which differs from the previously tested scramjet-powered HSTDV (Hypersonic…

The seventy-sixth package of U.S. military aid to Ukraine

2024-11-21

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the eighteenth military aid package this year (and the 76th overall) and the…

Chancellery of the Polish President Outlines Aid for War-Torn Ukraine

2024-11-11

Poland ranks first (in relation to GDP) among all countries involved in supporting Ukraine. Polish aid was the first to reach the…

ICEYE US expands its collaboration with NASA

2024-09-11

The American company ICEYE US, a subsidiary of the Polish-Finnish ICEYE, has signed an agreement to expand its cooperation with the American…

Rheinmetall AG strengthens its cooperation with the Polish-Finnish company ICEYE

2024-09-11

The German group Rheinmetall AG is strengthening its cooperation with the Polish-Finnish company ICEYE, obtaining exclusive rights to offer its satellite…

Shooting

Black Week at Clawgear

2024-11-28

The Black Week promotion at Clawgear runs until December 2, 2024. The more you add to your cart, the bigger the…

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

2024-11-28

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

Black Week at Clawgear

2024-11-28

The Black Week promotion at Clawgear runs until December 2, 2024. The more you add to your cart, the bigger the…

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

2024-11-28

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

Black Week at Clawgear

2024-11-28

The Black Week promotion at Clawgear runs until December 2, 2024. The more you add to your cart, the bigger the…

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

2024-11-28

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

2024-05-01

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

Firearms ownership in Poland, 2022: growth in the year of war

2023-03-14

National Police Headquarters released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and individual firearms owned by Polish citizens. It can be…

The tests of MSBS Grot S16

2024-11-18

The MSBS Grot S16 FB-M1 is a semi-automatic variant of the standard assault rifle used by the Polish Armed Forces and law…

The GROT BS10 FB-M1 BULLPUP is hitting the market!

2024-09-23

Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom is launching the GROT BS10 FB-M1 BULLPUP, a 5.56 mm semi-automatic bullpup rifle equipped with a short 10.5-inch (267…

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

2024-11-28

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

2024-08-29

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

2024-02-17

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

Firearms ownership in Poland, 2022: growth in the year of war

2023-03-14

National Police Headquarters released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and individual firearms owned by Polish citizens. It can be…

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

2022-11-11

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

2022-05-23

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

2024-09-02

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

Testing Blackhawk Holster

2024-01-31

Blackhawk is a company that needs no introduction to any shooting enthusiast. For 30 years, they have been involved in producing the highest…

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

2024-09-02

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

PIAP MOBI TARGET – revolution in shooter’s training

The MILMAG Defense&Space Magazine discussed with Adam Szepczyński, the Marketing Manager at the ŁUKASIEWICZ – PIAP Institute, about the company’s new, robotized shooter training system, PIAP Mobi Target, which is intended to improve training and skill enhancement process of various armed formations responsible for the country’s safety and security.

What exactly is PIAP Mobi Target and what was it designed for? How will it revolutionise the shooter training programme?

Simply speaking, it is a system of robotised platforms or rather mobile shooting targets, designed to enhance operator’s combat skills. At this moment, the Polish Army does not use any such system, which could provide the instructor with on time data about the ongoing shooter training and achieved progress, whether it’s conducted in open ground or in build-up shooting range. I will say more, such a communicate, send to the instructor would also include information about where the target was shot, whether to shot was ‘fatal’ or would it simply ‘hurt’ the target.

Very often it happens that verification of the results of a single shooting session is conducted in a traditional way, using binoculars. This process takes time. With the PIAP Mobi Target, the instructor will receive such feedback in real time.

One of the crucial features of the PIAP Mobi Target platform is that is resembles a silhouette of a grown man, which is helpful in simulation real combat experience during shooter training. The platform moves on a special path, difficult to predict for the trainee, which enhances the training experience

How long did it take to design and develop PIAP Mobi Target?

We started designing PIAP Mobi Target over three years ago, in early 2017. However, conceptual works began much earlier. We came up with the idea of the system in result of the discussions which we had with people from the industry, as well as observations of the market.

Did any other institutions participate in designing and constructing of the PIAP Mobi Target?

We pretty much designed and developed PIAP Mobi Target independently, working under the project co-founded by the National Centre for Research and Development.

What components is the PIAP Mobi Target built of?

The system is composed of three main components: the mobile target, operator’s post and relay station.

The mobile target is simply an armoured wheeled platform, with an attached bust or rather a 3D mannequin. Its shape simulates a human figure of around 170 cm height. The robot is powered by electric engines, with removable batteries, which allows for undisturbed work for approx. 4h, depending on terrain conditions. When the battery runs out, the operator can simply remove it and load a new one in order to continue the training session.

Why did you decide to fit driving platform with wheels instead of tracks?

For practical reasons. First of all, in order to simplify robot’s construction and scale down production costs. We decided that for the roles which the PIAP Mobi Target platform was designed for and in relation to the terrain which it will be working in, tracks are not necessary. Their application would only extend vehicle’s mass. In result, we would have to apply more powerful batteries and electric engines.

Each wheel of the Mobi Target’s driving platform is powered independently. However, they are not steerable. The suspension, which was designed in-house by us, enhances vehicle’s terrain prowess. When the platform drives through rough terrain, the suspension adapts to the ground level. The wheels are filled with elastomer, which enhances their survivability, especially when hit by a round.

You’ve mentioned that thanks to the PIAP Mobi Target, the system’s operator can in real time follow and analyse results of the training sessions. How does it work?

Thanks to the detection system used in the PIAP Mobi Target, which is our own design. It allows us to constantly detect, where particular rounds hit the target. In result, we can analyse, what was the ‘value’ of shots fired by the trainee, whether they were fatal or not.

What terrain is the PIAP Mobi Target designed to work on?

The platform was tested by us on a typical military shooting range. Surely, it does not have such good terrain prowess as an all-terrain military vehicle, like e.g. a main battle tank. However, the terrain which PIAP Mobi Target will move on, won’t be flat. It will be a typical area which we can meet on normal military training fields and shooting ranges.

What modes will the PIAP Mobi Target work in during training sessions?

In the simplest form we can use the PIAP Mobi Target as a teleoperated platform, where the operator controls the robot using a joystick. The robot is equipped with 3D cameras in front and the back, which allow the operator to see the path, which it moves on and avoid obstacles.

In the other mode the PIAP Mobi Target could drive through pre-defined paths, which are set up using easily accessible maps or satellite images. The instructor can plan the path in the way that it includes real or virtual obstacles, which the robot avoids on its way.

What will happen when the robot approaches an obstacle, which it’s not able to avoid?

The PIAP Mobi Target does not ‘see’ obstacles, which it approaches and as such, it’s impossible for it to avoid them by itself. However, the cameras, which are mounted in front and the back of the driving platform, allow the robot to detect obvious objects, like trees, and stop in front of them, at the same time informing the operator about the detected problem. However, as I said, it will not identify less evident obstacles independently and won’t work out a solution in order to avoid it without help from the operator.

It’s worth noticing that the cameras, which the platform is equipped with, are also vulnerable to being hit by a round fired by a trainee. Therefore, we designed them in a way that their replacement is very easy and can be done on site.

Where did you conduct tests the PIAP Mobi Target platform?

We conducted the test at the firing range of the Military Institute of Armament Technology (Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia, WITU) near Warsaw. WITU worked with us on the design and testing of the 5 mm thin armour, which we applied to the PIAP Mobi Target.

Looking into the future, we plan to equip the PIAP Mobi Target with an anti-ricochet armour, which will enable the fire 9 mm rounds at it at point blank range.

What types of guns were used during the tests of the PIAP Mobi Target?

We used guns which we have in our possession. Our armoury is equipped with the Grot and AKMS assault rifles as well as semiautomatic pistols. During the testing phase we cooperated with the Fabryka Broni company [a subsidiary of the Polish Armaments Group – MILMAG]. We also plan to use other types of guns during future tests of the PIAP Mobi Target, acting accordingly to the evolving requirement of the global market.

PIAP MOBI TARGET

Will the user be able to independently overhaul and service the PIAP Mobi Target?

The PIAP Mobi Target was designed in order to simplify the whole process of servicing of the platform and allow the operator to conduct the process independently. It refers to all modules of the robot, including armour plates, which can be replaced on site.

The operator will control the robot through a special panel. Is this equipment a new design, or did you benefit from your experience gained from other robot systems?

It is the same panel, which was designed for the PIAP Patrol and the new PIAP Gryf robots. It differs only by the applied software.

What is the range of the operator’s panel?

It all depends on the number of transmitters which will be used during the training session. A single transmitter allows to operate the robot at a distance of approx. 800 meters. With two, we could extend this range to 1,2 km.

In reality, if our client would wish to operate the PIAP Mobi Target at a distance of 2 km, we are able to work out the proper solution to meet this requirement. The only thing, which could limit use, is the size of the training area, where the shooting will take place.

How many robots can be operated by a single person

With a single operator’s panel we can operate up to 6 robots

How the PIAP Mobi Target system can be transported to the training area and prepared for a shooting session?

Ever since we started working on the PIAP Mobi Target system, we wanted it to be mobile, both in the way in which it operates on the field, but also in regard to its transport capability. Therefore, we aimed to work out the best solution for the user to transport the system and all related equipment from the storage point to the training area. What we can offer to our clients, is a special vehicle or a number of vehicles with trailers, which will be adjusted to transporting the PIAP Mobi Target and related elements of the system.

Our solution also includes a special working space for the operator, equipped with a computer and large scale monitor, where he or she will be able to monitor the training process. Such a room will be equipped with an air-condition system as well as power generators, which will allow to constantly power up robot’s batteries.

Do you plan to offer the PIAP Mobi Target system on civilian markets?

We are aware of the fact, that numerous civilian institutions, like private shooting ranges, could be interested in buying or leasing the PIAP Mobi Target system. We believe, that this will relate mostly to foreign customers, however we are also open to our Polish clients. The whole system can be offered and sold on the civilian market with no legal obstacles, as it does not require any special license to buy or operate.

In order to scale down system’s cost, we plan to offer the PIAP Mobi Target system without armour plates. In this mode it could be used as a mobile target, operating from behind ground covers, which will protect the driving platform. We can also replace the 3D mannequin with a classic target plate

How do you intend to promote the PIAP Mobi Target system among your potential clients?

The PIAP Mobi Target will have its official premiere during the MSPO 2021 exhibition. In the meantime, we will be in contact with our international distributors and see whether there is a demand for on-site live demonstrations. We also intend to place the system in the digital offer on our website.

We have already presented the PIAP Mobi Target for one of the armed services in Poland, which showed great interest in it.

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