Themis UGV with Starlink: Milrem Robotics and AEC Skyline enable control over thousands of kilometres

The Themis UGV, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) from Milrem Robotics, can now also be controlled over long distances. This is made possible by Starlink satellite communications (SATCOM), which the company – a developer of robots and autonomous systems – has installed in the vehicle together with the necessary equipment, jointly with AEC Skyline, a provider of advanced solutions for critical data. The new BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) control capability was presented for the first time in mid-June at Eurosatory in Paris.

UGV control from a safe distance

Thanks to Starlink, even distances of several thousand kilometres pose no problem for controlling the Themis UGV, so operators remain at a safe distance. Wherever the robotic vehicle is on the battlefield, it receives commands via the satellite link, transmits data seamlessly and relays critical information in real time. The communications system has been installed in the Themis Cargo CASEVAC.

Raul Rikk, Capability Development Director at Milrem Robotics, put the step into context: “This development marks a decisive moment in the evolution of military robotics and offers unparalleled possibilities for remote operation and situational awareness. Thanks to satellite communications, operators can exercise control over the robot from a safe and strategic vantage point, minimising the risks associated with direct human involvement in combat zones.”

Themis is currently in service in Ukraine, where it supports Ukrainian soldiers in the war against Russia. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also use the Themis configuration to reconnoitre roads and routes.