Japan's defence ministry wants to move away from importing ground robots and adapting civilian platforms, and instead build its own uncrewed ground vehicles for specific combat scenarios, Defense Express reports, citing materials from the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency's technology symposium shared by Japanese military reviewer Rikuno Yuuno.
Three prototype classes are in development. The smallest, under one tonne, is a tracked platform using four separate modules in place of wheels, with an open cargo frame. A wheeled mid-size vehicle of one to two tonnes carries an open platform with a protective frame around the body.
The largest class, five to ten tonnes, is a low, flat tracked platform fitted with sensors that looks closer to a small armoured vehicle than a robot. No manufacturers, schedules or costs have been disclosed.
Background
Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency
Japan's defence procurement agency
Japan's defence ministry agency for procurement, technology and logistics, which presented materials on three home-grown uncrewed ground vehicles at its technology symposium.
Government of Japan
Government
Japan's government, which gives defence equipment to like-minded countries under its Official Security Assistance programme.
