On Friday, January 16, 2026, the Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology (WITPiS) reported on winter-condition tests of the Configurable Autonomous Multi-Purpose Platform Kuna.
Photo: WITPiS
Winter is one of the toughest tests for military equipment. Low temperatures, deep snow, ice, and slush can immobilize standard wheeled vehicles. It is precisely in such conditions that Kuna—the Configurable Autonomous Multi-Purpose Platform – demonstrates its advantage, the press release reads.
Why does Kuna excel in winter?
- Unrestricted mobility: Thanks to its tracked running gear, Kuna retains full maneuverability even in difficult winter terrain. The tracks provide low ground pressure, allowing the vehicle to move efficiently through deep snow and over ice, where wheels lose traction.
- Autonomy in harsh weather: In winter, visibility is often limited by snowstorms or fog. Kuna’s systems enable reconnaissance and logistics operations without putting personnel at risk.
- Essential logistics support: In winter conditions, delivering supplies to isolated subunits can be critical. Kuna’s modular design allows for rapid adaptation to a transport role, delivering ammunition, food, or medical equipment where conventional transport means fail.
- Proven design: The system was designed with lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, where frost often dictates operating conditions. Robust construction and resistance to harsh operating environments are top priorities.
Kuna is not just technology – it is operational reliability, regardless of the season. Ready for frost, snow, and the toughest challenges of the modern battlefield.
The vehicle, developed in cooperation with Chema DS and Mista, was unveiled at the 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2024 at Targi Kielce, for which the consortium received the Defender Award. Last year, it was also presented during an exhibition of products by Polish manufacturers of unmanned weapons systems, as well as at a demonstration for representatives of the Defence and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly at the 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade in Wesoła, near Warsaw.
On September 9, 2025, the Ministry of National Defence announced the start of testing of the first units with the 19th Lublin Mechanized Brigade named after Maj. Gen. Franciszek Kleeberg.
According to the manufacturer, the Configurable Autonomous Multi-Purpose Platform Kuna is a comprehensive reconnaissance and operational support system designed to meet the contemporary challenges of a dynamically changing battlefield. The system responds to the needs of the Operational Forces, Special Forces, Territorial Defence Forces, the Police, and the Border Guard in the areas of reconnaissance, counterterrorism, countering illegal migration, and support in crisis situations. The innovative concept of the system is based on the integration of aerial drone technologies with ground vehicles, enabling remote and precise operation of the platform in difficult or hazardous terrain.
The system was designed and built on the basis of observations and experience drawn from the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine. Together with its developed subsystems, it constitutes a comprehensive response to the identified needs of operators of Ukraine’s Special Forces in demanding combat conditions, reflecting their observations, feedback, experience, and conclusions from the modern battlefield. The system features a modular, multi-role architecture that can be configured depending on assigned missions. Its main components are the Kuna unmanned ground platform and the Raven unmanned aerial vehicle.
The Kuna vehicle can move to a designated location while the Raven drone conducts aerial observation and then returns to the vehicle’s current position. The drone also serves as a data relay, enabling remote control of the Kuna vehicle via the drone. This solution increases the platform’s effective operational range as well as the range of telemetry data transmission and video streams, which is crucial for operations conducted in difficult terrain and in environments where access to GNSS signals is limited.
The key features of the system include:
- Mobility and Autonomy:
Kuna vehicle: This unmanned operational vehicle serves as a mobile base that can be remotely controlled or operate in autonomous mode. Its autonomous capability allows it to navigate terrain and reach designated locations without the need for a crew on board. Both route programming and remote control can be carried out via the aerial drone, increasing the vehicle’s operational reach. Equipped with LIDAR laser-radar sensors, cameras, and other detection systems, Kuna is capable of independently avoiding obstacles, significantly enhancing its ability to operate in unpredictable terrain. Tracked propulsion ensures high mobility, enabling movement across uneven, sandy, muddy, and even rocky terrain where wheeled vehicles might struggle. The Kuna vehicle can be easily adapted to different missions thanks to interchangeable, logistics-oriented modules. These modules feature mounts for specialized tools, sensor modules, and effectors. A transport module allows the carriage of a wide range of loads, from tools and equipment to construction materials or humanitarian supplies. All modules and the vehicle itself are equipped with built-in forklift handling points, facilitating loading, unloading, and rapid reconfiguration of the platform.
- Advanced Reconnaissance and Combat Support:
The Raven drone is an advanced unmanned platform developed for military applications as well as use by uniformed services. The platform was designed and modified based on experience gained from the conflict in Ukraine. Raven is a versatile tool that performs effectively in demanding conditions, enabling successful operations where traditional solutions may be insufficient or too risky. With a payload capacity of up to 12 kg, Raven can deliver critical equipment and supplies directly to the area of operations, as well as carry out direct support missions.
The drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 24 kg and is equipped with advanced navigation systems and artificial intelligence, enabling autonomous mission execution even in environments where GPS signals are unavailable or disrupted. For this reason, Raven is fitted with an inertial (dead-reckoning) navigation system, supporting operations in areas without access to traditional GNSS systems. As demonstrated by the conflict in Ukraine, GNSS signals are often jammed or spoofed, necessitating the integration of alternative navigation solutions that are easy to interface with flight controllers.
A control range of up to 15 km and the ability to operate in BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) mode allow for monitoring large areas from a safe distance. The drone is capable of flying for up to one hour at speeds of up to 45 km/h, and its advanced stabilization systems enable precise operation even in strong winds of up to 17 m/s. In addition, Raven is equipped with systems that allow for flexible management of frequencies, control, and the transmission of video and telemetry data. This, too, reflects lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, where the electromagnetic spectrum fight and countering electronic warfare (EW) measures are a critical aspect of unmanned system operations.
The system has undergone intensive testing, confirming its reliability and resistance to electronic interference. Raven is equipped with an advanced radio-navigation system that enables autonomous operations in environments without access to GNSS. The system is integrated with the drone’s flight controller, allowing the use of standard navigation algorithms and sensor fusion while maintaining flight stability and accuracy. These features make the Raven drone an advanced tool capable of performing missions in the most demanding conditions, providing indispensable support for the armed forces and uniformed services.
- Flexibility and Adaptation to Crisis Conditions:
The system enables effective operation in changing terrain and environmental conditions, which is crucial for missions on the modern battlefield. Thanks to its operational flexibility, it can be rapidly adapted to specific requirements such as counterterrorism, countering illegal migration, or operations at the threshold of hybrid warfare. The system performs particularly well in crisis situations where rapid response and unmanned delivery of equipment are required. Owing to the autonomous operation of its components, it is indispensable in rescue missions, especially in isolated and hard-to-access locations.
The system was designed and built based on observations and experience from the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine. It integrates advanced mobility and surveillance technologies, offering unique capabilities in reconnaissance and operational support. Together with its developed subsystems, it provides a comprehensive response to the needs of the modern battlefield. The system is distinguished by its scalability and modularity. Its modular, multi-role architecture can be configured depending on assigned tasks. Interchangeable modules feature mounts for specialized tools, sensor suites, and effectors, while the transport module allows for the carriage of a wide range of loads, from tools and equipment to humanitarian supplies, making it particularly valuable in logistics roles. Thanks to the advanced cooperation between the Kuna vehicle and the Raven drone, the system represents a modern tool for conducting effective operations across a wide spectrum of military and special missions, from counterterrorism to operations in hybrid warfare environments. It is an innovative solution that sets new standards in the field of reconnaissance and specialist equipment, responding to the contemporary needs of military and uniformed services.
Based on press information