The Ukrainian ground robot Plastun has achieved a record-breaking range
Engineers at PAWELL Battery in Lviv have significantly increased the range of the Ukrainian ground-based robotic system “Plastun.” The robot is now capable of traveling distances of up to 75–100 km, instead of the previously stated 25 km.
This increase in range could partially solve one of the key problems facing ground-based robotic systems on the front lines—limited range.
Why 25 km on paper turned into 10–12 km on the front lines
The “Plastun” robotic complex appeared on the battlefield in 2023 as a replacement for infantry soldiers in the most dangerous missions: logistics, evacuation of the wounded, and mine clearance. It is an ultralight robot weighing about 35 kg that fits in the trunk of a passenger car and is capable of carrying up to 50 kg of cargo or a wounded person weighing up to 120 kg.
The platform’s stated range was 25 km, but in real combat conditions, its operational radius was reduced to 10–12 km—the robot was tied to the company’s rear and returned for recharging after each sortie.
Because of this, routes had to be plotted along the shortest possible path, which often passed under fire from mortars and drones, and charging points had to be kept closer to the front lines—with the corresponding risk to the personnel operating them.
The new battery chemistry provided four times more energy while using the same electronics
PAWELL engineers replaced the "Plastun’s" standard lithium-ion battery with a solid-state one, while maintaining compatibility with the robot’s electronics.
Thanks to the new chemistry, each kilogram of battery delivers approximately 60% more energy. As a result, the robot now has four times more energy per charge, while the battery’s weight has only doubled.
“The increased energy capacity has made it possible to travel longer and more safely: taking detours, traversing low-lying areas, navigating downhill slopes, and taking breaks in cover. The robot is no longer limited to a single trip and can now operate for an entire shift," explained PAWELL co-founder Pavlo Esip.
According to him, the new battery is compatible with the same operating voltage range and the same control system as the standard one, so the manufacturer of the “Plastun” does not need to redesign the robot itself, its power electronics, or the charging infrastructure.
The increased range opens up new types of missions—securing deep-rear positions, multi-point routes in a single sortie, and extended periods of the robot remaining on standby in cover along the route. The developers plan to scale this same principle to other ground systems of the Defense Forces.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the developers.
Video: Ground robot rescues a civilian after a Russian drone attack.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have adopted the new “Bizon-L” ground robot.
Ukraine has unveiled the “Khmarynka” kamikaze drone with a range of up to 50 km.
Recently, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense codified and approved for use in the Armed Forces of Ukraine three fiber-optic FPV systems manufactured by enterprises of JSC “Ukrainian Defense Industry.”
Prior to this, the Ministry of Defense had standardized and authorized the domestic “Volyniaka” unmanned aerial system for use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
