Flamethrower robots are now officially a part of Ukraine's war

Defense Ministry of UkraineUkraine has approved a new ground-based drone, which fires thermobaric rounds, for combat use.It's now one of 80 uncrewed ground vehicles codified by the military to fight in the war.The Krampus is a tracked UGV meant to carry multiple RPV-16 launchers on rough terrain.Ukraine's defense ministry has officially approved what it described as a flamethrower robot for its military units.The Krampus, a locally invented uncrewed ground vehicle, now joins more than 80 other supported ground drone designs that Kyiv's forces can use, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.The ministry said the remotely piloted vehicle is equipped with RPV-16 rounds, which are rocket-propelled thermobaric rounds originally designed by Ukraine to be fired from a portable launcher by infantry.Built to "perform assault and defensive missions" against infantry and light armor, the Krampus is a tracked UGV that runs on two silent motors and can fit in the back of a pickup truck, the ministry added.According to the statement, its controls are jam-resistant and designed to withstand cold, heat, snow, and rain. It's also supposed to effectively cross off-road terrain such as thick forest, sand, swamps, and steep inclines."The platform's battery capacity allows for several hours of continuous movement. Thanks to this, it can remain in position for extended periods in standby mode," the statement said.The ministry didn't specify the drone's operational range or ammo capacity. Photos of the Krampus appear to show a tracked platform with a video camera that can fit four RPV-16 launchers. These launchers are typically single-use, so it's likely the Krampus can fire four times before having to be resupplied.Authorization by the defense ministry can be important for how widely a drone is used, since Ukrainian weapons manufacturing and innovation are dispersed across the country. As the war rages, various firms and military units work simultaneously on their own battlefield tech and often share them with each other.Official approval means Ukrainian forces can use their budgets to purchase the Krampus UGV.Their heavier frames offer more deployment options than a typical flying drone, such as carrying larger explosive payloads for attack missions, evacuating the wounded as a last resort, or clearing mines."These drones allow us to replace infantry soldiers on the battlefield," Oleksandr Chernyavskiy, an enlisted soldier who helps with fundraising in the 241st Territorial Defense Brigade's drone prototyping team, told Business Insider of UGVs like the Krampus.His own brigade has created a similar tracked UGV with mounted belt-fed machine guns that he says runs on an operational range of 20 km. Typically, such assault UGVs fly in tandem with aerial drones that can help them scout for mines, traps, and targets, Chernayavskiy said."It appeared to be quite effective in some kind of operations, like against well-equipped positions and traps," Chernayavskiy said of his brigade's weapons-mounted UGVs. "Usually, it's been used remotely without our infantry nearby."Ukraine has set a goal of fielding 15,000 UGVs on the battlefield by the end of the year.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

Home Depot CFO says tariffs won't spur price increases

washington times

Comments

Business News

Home Depot CFO says tariffs won't spur price increases

Trump arrives at Capitol to rally GOP support for his 'big, beautiful bill'

Major credit card company to pay customers £200m after huge legal battle

Starmer says UK ‘back on the world stage’ as SNP accuse Labour of fish talk snub

Thousands of golfers apply for discounted rounds on world-famous links courses

How smarter procurement can tackle supply chain concerns

NatWest reveals the impact of AI on its bank and workforce

Awful April bill hikes set to send inflation soaring

Shell suffers investor revolt over gas production impact on climate plans

Home Depot says it will keep prices low despite pressure from Trump tariffs

UK suspends trade talks with Israel over new Gaza offensive

Free and cheap activities for the kids during May half term – from Legoland to splashpads

Mastercard to pay out £200 million in compensation to customers after legal battle – check if you can claim

Trump to visit Capitol to build House GOP support for bill integral to his agenda

The Crusader: Solution for savings interest deadlock brings relief to older customer

The Crusader: Solution for savings interest deadlock brings relief to older customer

Green light for major battery energy storage park near Scottish town

Chancellor sidesteps calls to reverse cuts to winter fuel allowance and benefits

Thousands on Universal Credit to get huge pay rise in DAYS – here’s when you’ll get the extra cash

Major supermarket launches wedding gift list featuring ‘weekly shop’ items including bin liners and toilet roll

Sainsbury’s confirms it’s axed key feature in stores leaving shoppers furious

Warning for tens of thousands on benefits being forced to repay up to £20k due to DWP error

Couple ordered to tear down dream £500k home after ‘flagrant breach’ of rules

Millions set to receive up to £70 each after Mastercard settlement terms agreed

How A Gut Health Journey Turned Into A Beverage Brand Revolution

‘Minecraft’ Finally Hits No. 1

An Issue With Thuney: Can Bears Expect All-Pro Guard To Age Well?

Lady Gaga Blocked From An All-Time Record By Music’s Hottest Newcomer

Home Depot Won’t Raise Prices Amid Tariffs—As These Companies Warn Of Tariff Impacts

‘The Last Of Us’ Now Has Four Seasons, And Naughty Dog Is Making A ‘Secret Game’

Taylor Swift’s Downward Shift Is Unusual For Her

Anna Leigh Waters Sweeps The Pro Pickleball Association Atlanta Championships

Tuesday, May 20. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine

Morgan Wallen Could Beat The Weeknd’s Record With His New Album

Healthy Josh Lowe Can Only Boost Tampa Bay Rays’ Struggling Lineup

Is Charter-Cox Merger The Last Big Cable Deal?

Ellie Was So Much Better In ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 1

Madonna’s Life Is Coming To The Small Screen — And Her Music Is Back On The Charts

Dale Jr. Says ‘Earnhardt’ Docuseries Helped Him Let Go Of The Past

Northern Lights Forecast: 8 States Could See Aurora Borealis Tonight

Promise Adds Google As Strategic Investor To Develop AI-Assisted Films

London-listed miner Adriatic Metals in &#163;700m takeover talks

Organizations and companies are partnering to introduce Black students in Detroit to golf

Australian central bank reduces benchmark interest rate to 3.85% in second quarter percentage point cut this year

New sanctions target Russia's shadow fleet of tankers illicitly transporting oil

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia, targeting almost 200 shadow fleet ships

Honda pulls back on EV strategy for now and will push hybrid sales

Home Depot's revenue rises in Q1 as customers spend more tackling smaller projects

British Gas, EDF, EON and Octopus customers urged to act before July for £332 boost

A quarter of Brits are 'silent savers' who keep their financial affairs private

Barclays explains £31,000 boost for homeowners

MPs condemn 'bizarre' state pension rule as 500,000 get no triple lock increase

Concerns persist over Cowal wind farm plans after public meeting in Gourock

Government targets ‘warmonger’ Putin with 100 new sanctions

Thames Water chairman rows back on comments over bonuses for bosses

Major change to primary school dinners for millions of kids with key lunch staples facing BAN to promote healthy eating

A quarter of Brits are ‘silent savers’ who keep their financial affairs private

B&M shoppers rush to buy stylish home furniture scanning at just £20 instead of £200

Mastercard paying out millions in compensation to customers after landmark legal battle

The new buy now pay later rules set to protect shoppers

London-listed miner Adriatic Metals in £700m takeover talks