Ukraine to Test Unmanned Military Trucks
The Ukrainian Defense Forces are preparing to test new unmanned trucks and robotic ground systems. The equipment will be provided by the German company Quantum Systems, and testing will take place under real-world conditions to assess its capabilities and refine the system.
Ukraine continues to implement modern technologies for its military. Soon, the Defense Forces will receive Zetros unmanned trucks and MANDRILL robotic ground systems for testing. The new project is being implemented in collaboration with the German company Quantum Systems, which is already well known in Ukraine for supplying reconnaissance drones to the Ukrainian military. The company is now expanding its cooperation to offer solutions not only for aerial reconnaissance but also for unmanned logistics. Truck manufacturer Daimler Truck Defense has also joined the project.
In Kyiv, the parties have already signed a multimillion-dollar contract as part of the Ukrainian Research and Development Program. The agreement provides for the transfer of 10 Zetros unmanned trucks and 10 MANDRILL robotic platforms to the Ukrainian side. All vehicles will be equipped with the state-of-the-art MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit, which allows them to operate without a driver present at all times.
The main goal of the project is to test how this technology performs in real-world conditions. Units of the Ukrainian National Guard will be the first to use the new vehicles. Afterward, the military will provide the developers with feedback and suggestions so that the system can be improved.
Defense Express notes that this is precisely why the vehicles are being handed over to the Ukrainian military. “The vehicles will be deployed for use in real-world conditions to gather user feedback, which will then be used for further work on the systems,” the publication writes.
Experts point out that this is not the first time Ukraine has tested unmanned logistics. Recently, various companies have been actively working on technologies that allow cargo to be transported without risk to drivers. Earlier, details emerged about another remote-control system for vehicles, developed by the Estonian company Telearmy in collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
One of the main advantages of the new system will be the MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit. It allows a standard truck to be converted into an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle can move independently along a predetermined route, operate as part of a convoy, or perform tasks under the remote control of an operator.
In addition, the system supports the simultaneous control of multiple robotic platforms. A commander can plan routes, assign tasks to the vehicles, and monitor their operations through a single application. If necessary, an individual truck can even be controlled from a smartphone, or a mode can be configured where the unmanned vehicle automatically follows a driver-operated vehicle.
Experts say the choice of the Mercedes-Benz Zetros is entirely logical. Such all-terrain trucks have long been used by the Ukrainian military. They have proven themselves thanks to their high off-road capability, reliability, and ability to operate in challenging off-road conditions.
Equally interesting is the MANDRILL robotic platform. It is a large ground drone capable of carrying over 750 kilograms of payload. According to the manufacturer, its range exceeds 200 kilometers, and its maximum speed reaches 100 km/h. However, experts note that such performance figures are only achievable on good road surfaces. In frontline conditions, speed and range may be lower due to challenging terrain, dirt roads, or other obstacles. That is why real-world testing will determine just how effective this new technology will be in combat conditions.
Unmanned logistics is considered one of the most promising areas of development for modern armies. Such vehicles can deliver ammunition, fuel, food, and medical supplies, or evacuate the wounded without putting drivers’ lives at risk. This is particularly important when operating near the front lines, where conventional vehicles often become targets for artillery or drones.
Final conclusions regarding the capabilities of the new unmanned trucks will be drawn once testing is complete. If the technology proves effective, such vehicles could become an important part of the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ logistics in the future and help make the delivery of supplies to the front lines safer and faster, according to Defense Express.
On the night of July 10, the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched strikes against a number of Russian military and logistics facilities, hitting 18 ships, an oil refinery, oil terminals, and fuel infrastructure.
In addition, on the night of July 8, strike drones of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a military airfield in Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast, Russia. This airbase is home to Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft used for both combat and training missions.
Over the past day, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have reduced the strength of the Russian army by another 1,260 troops. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released updated data on enemy losses as of July 8, also reporting the destruction of a significant amount of enemy equipment.
