Nexter Robotics : Defense Robotics
1. Robotics, a Source of a Capability Leveling Risk
Unmanned Gound Vehicle (UGV) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) have long remained a resource reserved for the great military powers; MALE and HALE drones and the first generations of tactical drones required significant investments that placed them out of reach of the greatest number, even if their strategic and tactical benefits were quickly acknowledged. UGV remained for several decades restricted to the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) domain. It is only with asymmetrical conflicts at the beginning of the 21st century (Afghanistan, Iraq) and the appearance of the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) threat that the use of robots and drones would develop in the area of reconnaissance tasks and progressively in all areas covered by the “3Ds” (Dangerous, Dull, Dirty).
Over the same period, this change was accompanied by the accelerated development of the technologies involved in robotics and the expansion of their dissemination in particular through the democratization of the Internet (and its Darknet component).
It has been observed that western armies were restricted by a doctrine that only allowed the reduced use of robotics (until now robots have been designed only to carry out tasks pre-existing in the doctrine), while our new adversaries were not bound by the same rules and started exploiting the potential of robotics which had become easily accessible: two examples being Chinese DJI drones dropping grenades on the theatre of operations or swarms of micro-drones overflying positions at the very least to exert psychological pressure.
This entailed a true risk of “capability leveling” which would result in low cost robots and drones whose specificities would continue to be exploited operationally with intelligence allowing determined enemy groups to resist powerful, well trained armies.
2. Robotics to Contribute to Operational Superiority
There are several ways to avoid this identified risk of leveling; here we will only deal with the responses that are based on robotic solutions currently being developed by Nexter Robotics.
2.1. Reactive and Modular Mini-robotics for Contact Actions
Aside from the IED threat that fully justifies the use of robotized solutions (terrestrial or aerial) by the units in contact, it is important to provide our armed forces with robotized resources offering the modularity and flexibility of use necessary to suitable reactive responses, possibly going beyond the actions currently described in the doctrine on the use of material in service.
This is rationale behind the range of NERVA-LG mini-robots by Nexter Robotics which, in addition to advanced native performances compatible with use in a severe operational environment (robustness, simplicity of use etc.), can be reconfigured in the field using dozens of additional interchangeable modules. All these modules are “Plug & Play” (interchangeable in a few seconds) and cover missions as varied as reconnaissance (day/night, heat-seeking, long distance etc.), CBRN detection, anti-IED combat (explosive detector, IED destroyer etc.), deception and even aggression with different less-than-lethal weapons.
The open-endedness and modularity offered by the NERVA-LG family of robots make it a highly effective means of reaction for a potentially evolving and wide range of situations. These same characteristics also offer new operational services capable of surprising our adversaries (Discreet close approach to… puncture vehicle tires, jam a vehicle radio, occupy the terrain, etc.)
2.2. Heavyweight Robotics to Protect and Support Personnel
Nexter Robotics is also developing a range of heavyweight “TVR” (Tactical Versatile Robot) type robots capable of protecting and supporting personnel in missions such as:
2.3. Robotization of Combat Vehicles
Nexter Robotics encompasses two complementary approaches under this term:
Unmanned Gound Vehicle (UGV) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) have long remained a resource reserved for the great military powers; MALE and HALE drones and the first generations of tactical drones required significant investments that placed them out of reach of the greatest number, even if their strategic and tactical benefits were quickly acknowledged. UGV remained for several decades restricted to the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) domain. It is only with asymmetrical conflicts at the beginning of the 21st century (Afghanistan, Iraq) and the appearance of the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) threat that the use of robots and drones would develop in the area of reconnaissance tasks and progressively in all areas covered by the “3Ds” (Dangerous, Dull, Dirty).
Over the same period, this change was accompanied by the accelerated development of the technologies involved in robotics and the expansion of their dissemination in particular through the democratization of the Internet (and its Darknet component).
It has been observed that western armies were restricted by a doctrine that only allowed the reduced use of robotics (until now robots have been designed only to carry out tasks pre-existing in the doctrine), while our new adversaries were not bound by the same rules and started exploiting the potential of robotics which had become easily accessible: two examples being Chinese DJI drones dropping grenades on the theatre of operations or swarms of micro-drones overflying positions at the very least to exert psychological pressure.
This entailed a true risk of “capability leveling” which would result in low cost robots and drones whose specificities would continue to be exploited operationally with intelligence allowing determined enemy groups to resist powerful, well trained armies.
2. Robotics to Contribute to Operational Superiority
There are several ways to avoid this identified risk of leveling; here we will only deal with the responses that are based on robotic solutions currently being developed by Nexter Robotics.
2.1. Reactive and Modular Mini-robotics for Contact Actions
Aside from the IED threat that fully justifies the use of robotized solutions (terrestrial or aerial) by the units in contact, it is important to provide our armed forces with robotized resources offering the modularity and flexibility of use necessary to suitable reactive responses, possibly going beyond the actions currently described in the doctrine on the use of material in service.
This is rationale behind the range of NERVA-LG mini-robots by Nexter Robotics which, in addition to advanced native performances compatible with use in a severe operational environment (robustness, simplicity of use etc.), can be reconfigured in the field using dozens of additional interchangeable modules. All these modules are “Plug & Play” (interchangeable in a few seconds) and cover missions as varied as reconnaissance (day/night, heat-seeking, long distance etc.), CBRN detection, anti-IED combat (explosive detector, IED destroyer etc.), deception and even aggression with different less-than-lethal weapons.
The open-endedness and modularity offered by the NERVA-LG family of robots make it a highly effective means of reaction for a potentially evolving and wide range of situations. These same characteristics also offer new operational services capable of surprising our adversaries (Discreet close approach to… puncture vehicle tires, jam a vehicle radio, occupy the terrain, etc.)
2.2. Heavyweight Robotics to Protect and Support Personnel
Nexter Robotics is also developing a range of heavyweight “TVR” (Tactical Versatile Robot) type robots capable of protecting and supporting personnel in missions such as:
- Opening up mined itineraries: Robot taking the lead of a convoy and capable of detecting, decoying and triggering any IED threats in its way; the mobility of the robot and its payload capacity must be compatible with the constraints of the convoy’s movement and the different sensors/effectors adapted to the mission (ground penetration radar, neutron detector etc.).
- Surveillance of sensitive sites: Robot capable of carrying out patrols in a predetermined site and detecting any intrusions (presence of intruders, fence damage etc.).
- Logistical transport: Robot for conveying equipment or following personnel (relieving them of their load), or running over remote controlled or previously programmed itineraries. The basic version of this TVR range is equipped with many operator aids in order to automate all or part of the travel. This is achieved through the use of a certain number of “sensory-motor behaviors” (Follow a path, Follow personnel, Follow a vehicle, Rally a seamark, etc.), that have the advantage of not needing GPS (or equivalent) or a costly inertial unit, hence increased robustness and reduced cost.
2.3. Robotization of Combat Vehicles
Nexter Robotics encompasses two complementary approaches under this term:
- Equip combat vehicles with UGV and UAV in order to expand native capabilities: Observe further, Carry out CBRN reconnaissance, Designate a target, Reconnaissance of the approach to a path or house, etc.). The challenge is to make the use of these robotized tools as transparent as possible for personnel who do not need to be “robot-savvy”. The development of human-robot interfaces must further allow their control in an operational (Reconnaissance of the hill, Carrying out a radiological contamination survey of a zone, etc.) rather than a technical environment.
- Design future combat vehicles by giving them the capacity of being occasionally remote-controlled in the field when necessary, with all the protection required against takeover by third parties.