The development of a heavy class combat robotic ground complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier

Abstract

The article considers the development of a heavy-class robotic ground combat system based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier.
 Analysis of samples the heavy class combat robotic ground complexes showed that they can be developed on the basis of serial crewed military vehicles HMMWV (AM General), M-ATV (Oshkosh), BMP-3 (Russia), T-72 (Russia), M113 (Israel), Patria AMV (Finland) or create a new design MDARS (AM General), Black Knight (BAE Systems), "Uran-9" (Russia), TYPE-X (Milrem Robotics). They are made on a tracked or wheeled platform. What unites this class of robotic ground combat systems is a remotely controlled combat module with a 25-30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, a machine gun and a grenade launcher, which can be controlled from a distance.
 A comparative analysis of the tactical and technical characteristics the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with military vehicles with a 30 mm cannon in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been performed. As a result, the choice of BTR-4E armored personnel carrier as the basic crew unit for the construction of a heavy class robotic ground combat system has been substantiated.
 The analysis of the design of control drives of the power plant, transmission, braking system, steering system and combat module installed on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier was carried out in terms of the possibility of implementing remote control of movement and fire.
 The structure of a combat ground robotic complex based on the BTR-4E armored personnel carrier with different variants of remote control panels, means of establishing communication channels and construction of a remote control station is proposed.
 For example, the driver's remote control panel may be designed on the basis a tablet or on the basis a simulator for full simulation of control commands. Remote controls for the commander and gunner can be designed on the basis of regular controls and be similar to them for quick training of the crew to work.
 Communication between remote control units and the controlled armored personnel carrier can be arranged using ultrashort-wave radios or via the 4G, 5G mobile network.
 The remote control point can also be developed on the basis a BTR-4E armored personnel carrier, a military vehicle or deployed on the ground. It depends on the concept of application of the heavy class combat ground robotic complex.