Ground drone S-1 BUG: Unmanned Solutions presents demonstrator from Nové Mesto nad Váhom

Armies and developers are increasingly interested in unmanned ground vehicles. Slovak company Unmanned Solutions and partners have now presented their own ground drone: the S-1 BUG – Battle Utility Ground System unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). The manufacturer is based in Nové Mesto nad Váhom, 120 kilometres north-east of Vienna.

The technology demonstrator is a semi-autonomous, robotic, universal platform supporting combat units at the lowest tactical level, with an open system architecture. The focus is logistics: it is to carry equipment, combat gear, CQB breaching tools, ladders and explosives as well as support weapons, spare ammunition and supplies.

Reconnaissance and evacuation with the ground drone

A 360-degree day/night HD camera with digital stabilisation and 20x zoom enables unmanned, ground-based reconnaissance in the area of operations, together with infantry, engineers or mechanised units.

A stretcher or spine board also allows casualties to be removed from a combat area.

The UGV is fully electric, keeping its noise signature low and its IR signature minimal. An operator controls it remotely with one hand. At 10 km/h, the vehicle lasts two to three hours. With an empty weight of 170 kilograms, it carries a payload of up to 200 kilograms; it is protected against dirt and splash water to IP 54.

The design emphasises low procurement costs, simple through-life repair and maintenance, and COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) technology.