Israel's Uvision, Estonia's Milrem form venture to equip robotic vehicles with loitering munitions  

Israeli UVision Air Ltd., a manufacturer of loitering munitions systems for a variety of missions, announced a joint venture with Estonia's Milrem Robotics, a leading manufacturer of advanced unmanned ground vehicles and robotic warfare solutions, under which two types of Milrem vehicles have been equipped with UVision loitering munitions launchers.

According to Uvision, the new concept is designed to offer frontline forces a new independent capability to locate, track and accurately eliminate heavily armored targets from large distances in challenging battlefield conditions, including GPS-denied and communications-jammed environments, without needing support from the command. It provides small, light forces with advanced ISR capabilities combined with highly accurate, long-range heavy firepower that until now has only been achieved via complex cooperation between several units and echelons, the company said.

Milrem Robotics, which only four months ago announced the integration of the Cockerill Protected Weapons Station Generation II (CPWS II) into its newly developed Type-X robotic combat vehicle (RCV), has now integrated a Multi Canister Launcher for UVision’s Lethal Loitering Munition Systems into the RCV. The launcher can be equipped with two of UVision’s already operational loitering munition systems: The Hero-120, with an anti-tank warhead and up to one hour of flight time, and the Hero-400EC, capable of destroying fortified targets and operating for up to two hours. Milrem’s Type-X will also be equipped with a 40 km range communication antenna, located on a telescopic rising mast, improving the operator's control of the system.

The second vehicle, Milrem robotics' flagship unmanned ground vehicle THeMIS, is designed for operation by dismounted infantry and special forces. Able to carry up to six UVision loitering munition systems, it will provide the forces with long-range ISR and firepower combination that will now be available to them for the first time. The THeMIS recently completed a full 12-month deployment to an international military operation in Mali, and has already been delivered to a several NATO countries including Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US.

“As a leading innovative company that takes pride in advanced and in-depth military understanding, UVision has long been a provider of new operational solutions” says Major General (res) Avi Mizrachi, UVision’s CEO. “With a highly experienced team, all - with military background, and many with actual combat experience, we know first-hand the challenges that are facing operational forces in battle conditions today, and we are committed to provide advanced, yet user-friendly and affordable solutions that meet those challenges. Teaming up with Milrem Robotics, to provide new operational concepts based on the advantages of both companies' cutting-edge solutions, is another milestone in our unprecedented developments. "