Israel to begin testing robotic unmanned combat vehicle

Middle East, News June 20, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Israeli Defense Ministry has announced the testing for Elbit’s Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle (M-RCV), armed with a 30mm turret gun.

The announcement for testing the new M-RVC comes at a time when Israel is in the midst of upgrading its combat vehicles and land maneuverability. Israeli forces are making a deal with Israel Aerospace Industries to acquire hundreds of Negev combat vehicles for Israeli Special Forces. The country is also making deals to acquire Eitan armored vehicle carriers.

In the wake of the Israeli military’s increased emphasis on upgrading its land mobility, it would not take long for the M-RCV to be commissioned into the service after completing its testing phase next year. The field tests would begin in 2023.

Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems unveiled its new M-RCV (Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle) during the Paris Defense Confab 2022, along with several other unmanned combat vehicles and drones.

The vehicle is based on BLR-2 unmanned group vehicles developed by Israeli weapons manufacturer BL. Along with the 30mm turret gun, M-RCV would be equipped with Elbit’s Iron Fist protection system as well as a detachable capsule drone that would provide the vehicle with foresight in forward reconnaissance missions.

According to the statement released by the Israeli Defense Ministry, the vehicle would be equipped with a “number of cutting-edge technologies including advanced maneuvering capabilities, the ability to carry heavy and varied mission loads, and a built-in system for transporting and receiving UAVs.

*^{Guardium semi-autonomous vehicle is seen at an IDF base in southern Israel. (Image Credit: Mainichi)}*

Primarily the vehicle would be used to carry out reconnaissance missions in all terrains and conditions. “The system was developed as part of the autonomous battlefield concept led in the DDR&D in collaboration with the Tank and APC Directorate while implementing an open architecture for integrating future capabilities and integrating the robot alongside other tools and capabilities.” the ministry statement read.

The ministry did not provide specific details about the vehicle; however, a video of the new vehicle was released by Elbit Systems. The video shows M-RCV driving through fields and bushes while using 360-degree maneuvering. The video also shows the vehicle using a target recognition system to track stationary and moving targets.

Israeli forces have been using unmanned ground vehicles since 2012. Guardium Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) was the first generation of UGVs that the Israeli Defense Forces used profoundly to carry out patrol missions at the fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Several other Israeli defense manufacturers are also in the process to produce unmanned combat vehicles.

During the DSEI 2022 defense show in London, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled their four wheels unmanned vehicle that can carry a 7.62mm gun. The Israel Defense Forces already use the company’s six-wheeled Jaguar UGV.