Military robots have gone through hundreds of changes: how the youngest technology of the front is developing

The place of military robots on the battlefield is not fully understood, and therefore even the military cannot say what the ideal model should be. That is why robots are developed not in closed laboratories and not according to the Ministry of Defense's DKR programs, but in real time, in a continuous dialogue between the military and manufacturers.

Many units of the Defense Forces are already using ground robotic complexes (GRCs) - for transporting cargo, evacuating the wounded and even remotely using weapons. And it is the feedback from the front that determines what these machines will be like tomorrow. At the same time, companies that respond most quickly to operator feedback gain a significant competitive advantage in the market.

Oleksandr Yabchanka, head of the robotic systems service of the "Da Vinci Wolves" battalion of the 59th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, says that his unit has a separate chat with each manufacturer of the NRC they use.

"We provide them with the most up-to-date information about the state of their NRCs, where they are effective and where they are not, what should be improved, and what has already been done well. In fact, manufacturers conduct research with us, literally live. It often happens that we recruit them from positions, turn on video communication, and record some problems," says Yabchanka.

One such manufacturer is Tencore, which manufactures the TerMIT NRC – a universal tracked platform for logistics, evacuation, mining, and fire support.

The need to improve the complex is constant: technologies on the frontline are changing, and what was effective yesterday may be dangerous today.

"We started making our first NRCs during a full-scale war. At first, the products were very crude, so we had to make changes every day. Then we started accumulating changes, for example, 30-35 at once, and we implemented everything in one update. If we take the first prototype of the TerMIT NRC and the newest one, there are already more than 500 changes. Everything is here: materials, design, software, and integration of combat and engineering modules. This winter showed the weaknesses of our product - now we are working on a complete replacement of the chassis," says Maksym Vasylchenko, co-founder and director of Tencore.

Another manufacturer that quickly adapts its products to changing technological trends is the ROBONEERS company, which creates the Lynx, Ironclad, Camel, and the ShaBlya remotely controlled turret.

Oleksandr Yabchanka says that when in 2022 they first started using the "ShaBlya" turret with 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns, the manufacturer joined forces with the creators of the "Lys" wheeled platform. This is how a new company and a new "ShaRys" complex appeared.

This NRC is controlled from a safe distance, equipped with a video camera and a thermal imager, and can conduct aimed fire up to 2000 m.

ROBONEERS maintains 24/7 communication with each crew that uses the ShaRys NRC and makes changes to the design.

"If the task concerns the engineering and mechanical part, the implementation is fast. For example, preparing an ammunition box for a larger number of rounds and adapting it to the system so that the product works correctly. If it concerns software – for example, writing an additional software module – a longer period of time is required," says a representative of ROBONEERS.

Tencore has a separate service department that maintains 24/7 contact with all divisions using TerMIT NRC .

Initiatives for improvement come not only from manufacturers - it is the military that is most actively offering innovations.

"We received a request from the military for our NRC to have a mining function. We developed our own modules and patented them. Now our NRC TerMIT can simultaneously transport 20 TM-62 anti-tank mines and lay them. Also, upon request, we made it possible to lay barbed wire, as well as install combat turrets for machine guns and grenade launchers," says Vasylchenko.

ShaRys developers often come to positions to work out different scenarios for using their products together. The company has service centers near combat zones.

"This is done in order to reduce the logistical burden for repairs. Our products also have a modular system. Accordingly, we can quickly send a replacement unit from this center to the division if it fails," the company representative notes.

TerMIT NRC developers also regularly visit the military to see how they operate or repair equipment in the field.

"Sometimes we go with an updated version of the robot and immediately test it at the training ground, showing the military what it can now do and what issues need to be resolved," says Maksym Vasylchenko.

"Da Vinci Wolves" has also established cooperation with the manufacturer of the tracked NRC "Vepr", which performs a wide range of tasks - from logistics to reconnaissance.

The unit's fighters asked the manufacturer to adapt the platform for transporting logs used to fortify positions. This resulted in a trailer that could be attached to the base platform. Later, this trailer was used to successfully evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

"Manufacturers provide us with the means, we test them, then we analyze the actions taken together and they make the appropriate design changes. Accordingly, we have reduced the process of creating and putting into operation the NRC by a bunch of links. Manufacturers even come to our training grounds to test the products in conditions as close to combat conditions as possible," says Yabchanka.

As Maksym Vasylchenko recalls, when the first TerMIT NRC platforms were being made, they were ordinary carts with a remote control. The military themselves integrated a flight controller with FPV into them, which made it possible to receive telemetry, location information, etc.

Oleksandr Yabchanka calls the key to success not only well-established communication, but also the presence of the division's own laboratory and people who bring the products to a functional state and are able to convey problems or suggestions to the manufacturer in technical language.

"My task is to ensure that, if necessary, the improvement of the tool takes place directly in our laboratory near the front. First of all, we help ourselves by bringing the tools to the state we need, and then - the manufacturer, who will implement this in updated models," concludes Oleksandr Yabchanka.

The commander of the company of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the NRC, under the pseudonym Zhorik, says that they still have to re-equip their equipment on their own to perform combat missions.

"Today, there is no NRC that is ready for immediate combat use," he explains. "We are modernizing, retrofitting equipment, testing, and then handing everything over to the manufacturer for improvement."

This is how the unit began working with the Teslya NRC, which at first, as Zhorik recalls, was extremely simple:

"The first platform worked entirely on an assault console and was used as a "mule" - just a cart for transportation. But now, thanks to constant contact with us, the manufacturer is trying to adapt the vehicle to the realities of war as much as possible."

The manufacturer of the six-wheeled Tesla is the company "Phantom Technology", founded by Mikhail Fanta. He says that it all started with a conversation with a representative of the 3rd OSH Brigade in December 2023. The military was given a clear technical task: a wheeled platform with high clearance (height), good cross-country ability, the ability to fit into the body of a pickup truck, a weight that could be lifted for loading/unloading up to four soldiers, a load capacity of up to 200 kg and a quick-change battery so as not to interrupt missions for charging.

The first sample was immediately sent to the team for testing. And although it did not yet have all the necessary features – in particular, it lacked a quick-change battery – the overall solution was highly appreciated. The team immediately began to improve it.

"We went through several iterations: we modeled, prototyped batteries and concepts for their replacement. The replacement process had to be simple, fast, and intuitive for the military," the developer explains.

In combat conditions, the 3rd Armored Brigade subjects its equipment to serious stress and tests it in more difficult conditions than the manufacturer expects.

"For example, if it is indicated that the NRC carries 150 kg, then they will load 200 and see what happens," says Mykhailo Fanta.

The changes concern not only the "filling", but also the appearance. One example is the appearance of a folding U-shaped arch above the platform. Previously, the NRC had the appearance of a basket on wheels, and a receiver antenna was attached to the rear on a remote stand. The military proposed creating a frame on which it would be possible to place cameras, transmitters and run all the wiring in one place. The developers took this into account - and the new modifications received just such an arch.

But development did not stop – combat experience continued to shape new requirements.

"Over the past year, we have significantly redesigned the product in cooperation with the military," says Fanta. "Instead of the old 250 W motors, we installed 450 W brushless motors with temperature sensors - there were none on the prototype and this was a problem. We installed more powerful motors that increased the load capacity to 180 kg, installed a 255 Ah battery instead of 130, and better controllers - with an open architecture and a flexible settings system. The range under full load increased from 12 to 40 km."

The team is currently integrating a flight controller and peripherals into the platform to ensure out-of-the-box compatibility with any communication system. They are also developing custom wheels to increase cross-country ability and implementing a dumper system so the NRC can unload itself at a point.

Every "mature" NRC that goes to the front today is the result of a dialogue: between a fighter who sees a weak spot in the design, and a developer who can change it.

Ukrainian manufacturers often cite real-world combat testing as their key competitive advantage that will one day make Ukrainian ground-based drones a successful export product. But few understand what this means in practice.

In fact, what is decisive is not the fact of using a robot in real combat, but the ability to quickly draw conclusions from its mistakes, adapt to technological trends, and remain useful in real life, not just on paper.