Infantry Vehicles

[Kirkhill]

C16-mobile deploying from the back of a van

Ukrainian-made Buria turret with 2 km engagement range integrated with Ardal ground robot

The Buria, a Ukrainian-made robotic turret produced by Frontline Robotics, has been integrated with the Ardal unmanned ground system produced by Burevii, forming a mobile combat system.

www.pravda.com.ua

 

[Kirkhill]

Robots taking the place of soldiers: how ground robotic systems armed with machine guns are replacing people on the front lines

Russian first-person view (FPV) drones have made it increasingly challenging for Ukrainian forces to resupply their positions. To save lives, the Ukrainian military has turned to ground-based robots for logistics and evacuation tasks.

www.pravda.com.ua

 

[Kirkhill]

Another encomium to the Roshel Senator - Both types

The PMV that Roshel calls an APC which carries up to 12
And the upgraded one called an MRAP carries 10

As the article states - they are not IFV substitutes. They are 80 percenters for doing most jobs in most places while moving around behind the lines.

I wonder how much an unarmoured version with the same layout would cost.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Roshel is the modern day armoured CMP. Start filling out the reserves with it, god knows they need the vehicles.

 

[Kirkhill]

In praise of simplicity.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/vikrammittal/2026/03/24/the-m113-the-cold-war-era-vehicle-meeting-ukraines-battlefield-needs/

It is interesting to note the stand-off distance between the anti-drone netting and the hull seems to have bee considerably reduced from earlier haystack versions. 3 foot seems to have been reduced to 6 inches or less.

Is it as effective as the slat armour of the type grafted on to the Strykers and Vikings?

....

I note that the M113 can also be rendered autonomous

Adding an autonomous driving kit to an existing tracked vehicle generally costs between $65,000 and over $100,000+ for professional, heavy-duty applications (such as agricultural or industrial tracked tractors), while installation times for these specialized kits can take a few days to a week. For smaller, lighter DIY projects, costs can be significantly lower.
Costs of Autonomous Retrofit Kits

• Professional/Ag Systems: Specialized kits, such as those from Sabanto or Mojow Autonomous Solutions for agricultural equipment, start around $65,000 to $100,000+ per unit.
• Recurring Fees: Some commercial systems require annual subscriptions, often around $15,000 per year, covering cellular and GPS services.
• DIY Systems: Basic autonomous controllers can be assembled from hobbyist components for as little as $700–$1,000, though these lack the sensor suites needed for obstacle avoidance.
• Components: A full autonomous "TONY" retrofit kit (Transit ON Demand) includes LiDAR, RADAR, cameras, GPS, and Drive-By-Wire actuators.
  FarmersForum.com +4

Installation Time and Complexity

• Installation Time: While simple car-based "bolt-on" systems might be installed in 30 minutes, converting a heavy tracked vehicle involves installing actuators for steering/brakes, mounting sensors (LiDAR), and calibrating the system, which takes substantially longer, likely several days.
• Vehicle Agnostic: Retrofit providers often aim for systems that can be installed on a wide variety of existing machinery, both wheeled and tracked.
• Skill Level: Commercial systems often require professional installation to ensure safety, whereas DIY systems require in-depth knowledge of robotics and software.
  The Robot Report +2

Factors Affecting Time and Cost

• Level of Autonomy: L4 (fully autonomous in specific areas) systems require more robust, expensive sensors and computing than simple GPS-guided path-following.
• Drive-by-Wire Conversion: If the tracked vehicle does not have electronic control for steering and braking, expensive mechanical actuators must be installed.
• Sensor Setup: High-resolution LiDAR and RADAR sensors are the primary cost drivers for reliable, safe autonomous operation.
  SSRN eLibrary +3