BAE Systems has released a set of images showing its new driverless mini-tanks that could revolutionise warfare.
The innovative concept, codenamed Ironclad, could soon work alongside other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to support troops on the battlefield.
The Ironclad tanks can be modified with different attachments, meaning they can carry out reconnaissance, evacuate troops and act as bomb disposal units.
Future of warfare? BAE Systems unveils DRIVERLESS mini-tanks that can carry out reconnaissance, evacuate troops and act as bomb disposal units
'Ironclad' tanks could work with other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles
They would operate autonomously alongside human troops on the battlefield
The mini-tanks can be modified with various attachments for different roles
They will be equipped with 'friend or foe' software to avoid friendly fire
By Harry Pettit For Mailonline
13 September 2017
BAE Systems has released a set of images showing its new driverless mini-tanks that could revolutionise warfare.
The innovative concept, codenamed Ironclad, could soon work alongside other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to support troops on the battlefield.
The Ironclad tanks can be modified with different attachments, meaning they can carry out reconnaissance, evacuate troops and act as bomb disposal units.
BAE systems has released a set of images showing its new driverless mini-tanks that could revolutionise warfare. The innovative concept, codenamed Ironclad, could soon work alongside other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles in supporting troops on the battlefield
BAE Systems aims to make them completely autonomous in future, meaning they operate without a human controller.
They will be equipped with 'friend or foe' tracking software to avoid friendly fire and keep soldiers out of harm's way.
Currently, concept models operate via wireless control within a range of up to 0.5 miles.
The vehicles will be presented at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Conference in London this week, but does not yet have a deployment date.
BAE Systems, the British multinational defence and security firm based in London and Hampshire, says it has designed the tanks to tackle 'some of the most dangerous jobs that soldiers currently face'.
Although troops will remain 'at the centre of decision making', the need to react quickly could see control of some weapons handed over to artificial intelligence.
The vehicles manoeuvre using rubber caterpillar tracks and have an armoured hull that protects them against blast and small arms fire.
Because they run using a high-powered battery, the vehicles move quietly, with a range of up to 30 miles.
BAE Systems said its vision of future warfare sees full-size autonomous tanks supported by 'fleets of smaller autonomous air and ground vehicles' which create a defensive perimeter.
The firm's Ironclad mini-vehicles could form part of this unmanned defensive line.
The tanks manoeuvre using rubber caterpillar tracks and BAE systems aims to make them completely autonomous in future, meaning they operate without a human controller. They can act as reconnaissance vehicles and even as stretchers (pictured) for medical evacuations
The Ironclad tanks can be modified with different attachments (pictured above the vehicle), meaning they can carry out reconnaissance (centre left), evacuate troops (far right), act as bomb disposal units (centre right) and even shoot down enemy drones (far left)
Craig Fennell, future programmes director at BAE Systems Land, said: 'Ironclad is a step towards the battlefield of the future.
'There will always be a human in the loop, but increasing use of autonomy and unmanned vehicles means they can focus on key decisions and have more options to avoid putting people in dangerous situations.'
John Puddy, technology lead at BAE Systems Land, said: 'No-one can be entirely sure what the future will look like, but we do know that it's a relatively short step from the technology available today to having a fleet of autonomous vehicles sharing situational awareness and – where appropriate – making certain decisions independently.
Currently, concept models operate via wireless control within a range of up to 0.5 miles. In future they could be equipped with autonomous 'friend or foe' tracking software, allowing them to work unmanned
The vehicles have an armoured hull that protects them against blast and small arms fire. Because they run using a high-powered battery, the tanks move quietly, with a range of up to 30 miles
'The U.S. Marine Corps has said it wants to have an autonomous tank in the next five years, so this could start happening very quickly.'
The unmanned technology has raised concerns over Britain's policy on autonomous 'robot warriors', but the Ministry of Defence has played these down.
Mark Lancaster, minister for the Armed Forces, told the Telegraph: 'It's absolutely right that our weapons are operated by real people capable of making incredibly important decisions and we are guaranteeing that vital oversight.'
BAE systems' vision (pictured) sees full-size tanks supported by 'fleets of smaller autonomous air and ground vehicles' which create a defensive perimeter (yellow line) around the tank and human troops. The firm's Ironclad mini-vehicles could form part of this defensive line
BAE systems releases images of driverless mini-tanks | Daily Mail Online
The innovative concept, codenamed Ironclad, could soon work alongside other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to support troops on the battlefield.
The Ironclad tanks can be modified with different attachments, meaning they can carry out reconnaissance, evacuate troops and act as bomb disposal units.
Future of warfare? BAE Systems unveils DRIVERLESS mini-tanks that can carry out reconnaissance, evacuate troops and act as bomb disposal units
'Ironclad' tanks could work with other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles
They would operate autonomously alongside human troops on the battlefield
The mini-tanks can be modified with various attachments for different roles
They will be equipped with 'friend or foe' software to avoid friendly fire
By Harry Pettit For Mailonline
13 September 2017
BAE Systems has released a set of images showing its new driverless mini-tanks that could revolutionise warfare.
The innovative concept, codenamed Ironclad, could soon work alongside other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to support troops on the battlefield.
The Ironclad tanks can be modified with different attachments, meaning they can carry out reconnaissance, evacuate troops and act as bomb disposal units.
BAE systems has released a set of images showing its new driverless mini-tanks that could revolutionise warfare. The innovative concept, codenamed Ironclad, could soon work alongside other unmanned aerial and ground vehicles in supporting troops on the battlefield
BAE Systems aims to make them completely autonomous in future, meaning they operate without a human controller.
They will be equipped with 'friend or foe' tracking software to avoid friendly fire and keep soldiers out of harm's way.
Currently, concept models operate via wireless control within a range of up to 0.5 miles.
The vehicles will be presented at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Conference in London this week, but does not yet have a deployment date.
BAE Systems, the British multinational defence and security firm based in London and Hampshire, says it has designed the tanks to tackle 'some of the most dangerous jobs that soldiers currently face'.
Although troops will remain 'at the centre of decision making', the need to react quickly could see control of some weapons handed over to artificial intelligence.
The vehicles manoeuvre using rubber caterpillar tracks and have an armoured hull that protects them against blast and small arms fire.
Because they run using a high-powered battery, the vehicles move quietly, with a range of up to 30 miles.
BAE Systems said its vision of future warfare sees full-size autonomous tanks supported by 'fleets of smaller autonomous air and ground vehicles' which create a defensive perimeter.
The firm's Ironclad mini-vehicles could form part of this unmanned defensive line.
The tanks manoeuvre using rubber caterpillar tracks and BAE systems aims to make them completely autonomous in future, meaning they operate without a human controller. They can act as reconnaissance vehicles and even as stretchers (pictured) for medical evacuations
The Ironclad tanks can be modified with different attachments (pictured above the vehicle), meaning they can carry out reconnaissance (centre left), evacuate troops (far right), act as bomb disposal units (centre right) and even shoot down enemy drones (far left)
Craig Fennell, future programmes director at BAE Systems Land, said: 'Ironclad is a step towards the battlefield of the future.
'There will always be a human in the loop, but increasing use of autonomy and unmanned vehicles means they can focus on key decisions and have more options to avoid putting people in dangerous situations.'
John Puddy, technology lead at BAE Systems Land, said: 'No-one can be entirely sure what the future will look like, but we do know that it's a relatively short step from the technology available today to having a fleet of autonomous vehicles sharing situational awareness and – where appropriate – making certain decisions independently.
Currently, concept models operate via wireless control within a range of up to 0.5 miles. In future they could be equipped with autonomous 'friend or foe' tracking software, allowing them to work unmanned
The vehicles have an armoured hull that protects them against blast and small arms fire. Because they run using a high-powered battery, the tanks move quietly, with a range of up to 30 miles
'The U.S. Marine Corps has said it wants to have an autonomous tank in the next five years, so this could start happening very quickly.'
The unmanned technology has raised concerns over Britain's policy on autonomous 'robot warriors', but the Ministry of Defence has played these down.
Mark Lancaster, minister for the Armed Forces, told the Telegraph: 'It's absolutely right that our weapons are operated by real people capable of making incredibly important decisions and we are guaranteeing that vital oversight.'
BAE systems' vision (pictured) sees full-size tanks supported by 'fleets of smaller autonomous air and ground vehicles' which create a defensive perimeter (yellow line) around the tank and human troops. The firm's Ironclad mini-vehicles could form part of this defensive line
BAE systems releases images of driverless mini-tanks | Daily Mail Online
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