A Russian company has developed a combat module with rocket-propelled flamethrowers for combat robots

Combat module based on RPO for robotic complexes

Moscow—based Robotics Engineering LLC has presented a new development, the "Single-use Jet Weapon Combat Module." The device consists of two metal casings, which house boxes for disposable rocket-propelled flamethrowers of various modifications (A, Z, E). Such flamethrowers are used to destroy manpower, shelters and lightly armored vehicles using thermobaric, incendiary or smoke charges.

The module is designed to integrate with the chassis of remotely controlled robotic systems (RTKs), expanding their striking capabilities in close combat conditions.

Flexibility of fire: volley or alternate shot

One of the key advantages of the module is the ability to flexibly control fire. The operator can select the firing mode from the remote control: fire a simultaneous salvo from all installed RPO for maximum effect, or fire alternately, depending on the tactical task. This allows you to effectively use ammunition and adapt to the changing situation on the battlefield.

This approach is especially relevant when storming fortified positions, clearing buildings, or suppressing enemy firing points.

Autonomous firing in case of loss of communication

The company also proposed "A way to solve a fire problem with a remotely controlled ground-based robotic system in an autonomous mode." This development makes it possible to theoretically implement firing even if the radio channel between the operator and the robot is lost.

In case of communication failure, the system automatically continues moving using satellite navigation (GPS/GLONASS) and IMU sensor (inertial measurement system) data. In addition, the ability to automatically aim at a preset target has been implemented, which increases the robot's resistance to electronic jamming.

Prospects of application in modern conflicts

The integration of rocket-propelled flamethrowers into combat robots reflects the trend towards increasing the autonomy and striking power of unmanned ground systems. Such complexes can be used to reduce risks for personnel when performing highly loaded tasks, especially in urban environments or in minefields.

The development of "Robotics Engineering" demonstrates the growing interest in modular, scalable solutions in the field of military robotics.

Australia controlled a British submarine from 10,000 miles away — a breakthrough within the framework of AUKUS

Imagine: a submarine is moving quietly underwater somewhere off the coast of Great Britain, but it is not controlled in London, but in Australia — 10,000 miles away from the scene. It sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, but that's exactly what happened in practice.

For the first time, the Royal Navy of Great Britain has demonstrated that its experimental vessel (XV) Excalibur can be fully controlled remotely, and from the other side of the planet. Australian operators successfully operated an unmanned submarine while it was underwater in British territorial waters.

These tests took place in July as part of the large-scale Talisman Sabre 2025 exercises. Specifically, this stage was called the "Maritime Big Play" and became part of the broader AUKUS program, namely its Pillar II direction, which focuses on the development and joint use of advanced defense technologies between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

This level of remote control is a serious step forward. It opens up opportunities for the use of autonomous underwater vehicles in complex and potentially dangerous missions without risk to the crew. Now the car can be where it needs to be, and it can be commanded safely, from anywhere in the world.

Wolf robots go on the attack: how China is testing war dogs in exercises with soldiers

 

Imagine a picture: a group of soldiers of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) crouching under "fire", performing tactical maneuvers on a hillside. And next to them, predator robots, resembling wolves, move clearly and silently without stopping. They're not hiding. They're moving forward.  

This is not a scene from a fantasy movie — this is a real military exercise, during which China is testing a new generation of combat robots capable of working closely with live military personnel. These machines, which look like four—legged dogs or predators, are already called "robops" or "robovolkas" - and they are becoming an increasingly serious part of the army of the future.

 How does it work?

The robots are controlled remotely by an operator, but at the same time demonstrate impressive autonomy. The lightweight version is especially interesting — judging by the footage, it is equipped with a LiDAR system that scans the area and builds a 3D map of the environment in real time. This allows robots to move confidently through difficult terrain: rocks, mud, slopes and forests — where it is difficult for humans, and it is easy for vehicles to get stuck on tracks.

What can they do?

— They move through any terrain — from swamps to mountains.  

— They can carry modules with weapons and fire at a range of up to 100 meters with high accuracy.  

— They work in conjunction with soldiers, performing reconnaissance, diversionary maneuvers or even fire support.  

— During the exercises, they continued to move while the soldiers "covered themselves" from the simulated fire, showing that the vehicles are considered an extension of the combat unit, and not just auxiliary equipment.

China is clearly following the path of army hybridization: soldier + robot. Such vehicles reduce the risks for live fighters, allow them to clear buildings faster, patrol borders and operate in dangerous conditions — with chemical threats, radiation or in conditions of high ambush activity.

The wolf robots are not just a technology show. This is a signal: the future of war is already here, and it barks not for real, but at the operator's command.

"Assault" was lit up at the training ground: Uralvagonzavod showed a heavy robot based on the T-72 tank

 

Prototypes of the new Russian heavy assault robot "Sturm", which is being developed by Uralvagonzavod, the same one that makes Armata tanks, were shown for the first time at one of the military training grounds. The car looks like a combat robot from the future, but in reality it is an upgraded chassis from the T—72 or T-90, without a crew and controlled remotely. The goal is to get into the thick of urban battles, where it is too dangerous for live tankers.

The complex, in fact, consists of two parts: the remotely controlled combat vehicles themselves and the control vehicles that follow them and transmit commands. All this is part of a tactical group, where the "Assault" goes ahead, and people stay in the rear, behind a brick or in an armored vehicle.

What is the robot armed with? The main thing is a shortened 125mm cannon adapted for shooting in narrow streets and courtyards. It hits both armor-piercing and high—explosive shells, ideally against fortified points, pillboxes and buildings with snipers. The car also has a bulldozer blade to level the rubble, demolish walls and pave the way through the barricades.

The protection is serious: a circular set of armor protects against grenade launchers and RPGs, so even if it is hit from the side or from behind, the car has a much better chance of survival than a conventional tank in the urban jungle.

And if more fire is needed, the tower can be retrofitted with rocket—propelled flamethrower launchers (such as Bumblebee or Tula) to clean basements, entrances and trenches.

So far, "Sturm" is being tested, and this is clearly a response to the experience of the war in Ukraine, where urban battles have shown how precious human life is. Robots allow you to throw equipment at the "meat", not people. And if everything works out, in the future such vehicles may become the standard for assault units.

China has revealed how its VU-T10 combat robot is causing hell on the battlefield

 

VU-T10

China continues to actively increase the pace in the development of robotic systems for the army — and the latest striking example is the new tracked unmanned ground vehicle (UAV) VU-T10, which recently passed field tests. Footage from these tests was published by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), one of the leading Chinese weapons developers.

Imagine: an 11-ton combat robot that maneuvers through difficult terrain without human intervention, accurately identifies targets and strikes them. All this is within the framework of the Chinese strategy for the introduction of robotics in modern and future scenarios of warfare. The VU-T10 is not just a toy, but a full—fledged participant in the battle.

The device is equipped with a remote—controlled modular combat turret armed with a serious 30-mm cannon, which is excellent for both fighting with manpower and for hitting lightly armored targets. A twin 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted next to it, an additional tool for suppressing enemy infantry.  

But that's not all. For self-defense, the VU-T10 has electric smoke grenade launchers, which allow the device to hide from observation or distract the enemy at a critical moment.

The VU-T10 is not just an experimental prototype. This is an important step forward in China's plans to modernize its army. Such vehicles can be used as scouts, firing points accompanying infantry, or even as autonomous attack platforms.  

In addition, all this suggests that Chinese engineers are actively working to make robots not just auxiliary tools, but full—fledged participants in combat operations - without risking the lives of soldiers.

The VU-T10 is a prime example of how rapidly military robotics is developing in China. And if such devices begin to en masse to the troops, it can seriously change the face of modern combat.

Belarus to test Adunok combat robots

The Belarusian design bureau "Display" has presented a new line of combat robots "Adunok-M", which have already begun to be tested. This was reported by the State Military Industry Committee of Belarus in its Telegram channel.

These are a number of tracked platforms: "Adunok-M120", "Adunok-M200", "Adunok-M250" and the heaviest — "Adunok-M700". Each model differs in size, weight and load capacity — from 120 to 700 kg, respectively.  

These machines can operate at a distance of up to 2.5 km from the operator, which allows them to be used in high-risk areas without risking the lives of fighters.  

Robots can be used in different tasks.:

- as mobile platforms for machine guns and other fire destruction modules;

- for transportation of ammunition and equipment;

- during the evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield.

Simply put, such devices will help save the lives of the military and at the same time be effective in combat. For example, a robot can carry a machine gun and fire on enemy manpower or destroy unarmored vehicles.

Interestingly, in June it became known that Russia is also actively developing the idea of autonomous systems. In particular, the Tallamho design Bureau announced that they would test the Ronin-2 turret with artificial intelligence in the free zone by the end of 2025. This system is designed specifically to combat drones and is capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 50 meters.

Belarus is making steady steps towards robotic complexes, and Russia is stepping up the development of autonomous systems with AI. It seems that the future of military technology is already coming — and it is increasingly becoming unmanned and automated.

Adunok-M

Israeli Spike missiles and Mossad drones destroyed Iran's air defenses from the inside

During the initial phase of the conflict between Israel and Iran, Israeli intelligence agencies used Spike anti-tank missile systems and drones deployed directly on Iranian territory. These systems were remotely controlled and played a key role in neutralizing Iran's air defense systems.

Spike NLOS missiles, equipped with a two-way electron-optical image transmission system, allowed operators to control the destruction of targets out of line of sight at a distance of up to 25 kilometers. The use of such missiles along with kamikaze drones provided the Israeli forces with the opportunity to effectively attack and weaken Iran's air defenses from the inside, which greatly facilitated subsequent airstrikes.

In addition, the Mossad has established several bases in Iran for the production and launch of drones that were activated during artillery fire. These actions allowed Israel to gain a tactical advantage by weakening the enemy's defenses and creating the conditions for successful strikes against Iran's key military and nuclear facilities.

Underwater robot for the Royal Navy: new technology to save lives and protect underwater infrastructure

The UK's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), together with industry partners, has developed and adapted a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) that will soon be able to significantly improve maritime safety for the Royal Navy. This robot is designed to combat the threats of sabotage, as well as to detect and neutralize unexploded ordnance that poses a danger to ships and divers.

The ROV is equipped with advanced systems to detect underwater explosive devices and remotely place explosives for their safe destruction. This technology reduces risks for human personnel by minimizing the need for direct contact of divers with dangerous objects.

In addition, the robot will play a key role in protecting strategically important underwater communications, including cables and pipelines, preventing enemy attempts to disable them through sabotage.

LPP unveiled an innovative unmanned ground vehicle at IDET 2025

 At IDET 2025 in Brno, the Czech defense company LPP unveiled its latest unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), demonstrating a striking combination of remotely controlled firepower and integrated ammunition barrage systems. This innovative platform is an example of the fusion of ground-based and aerial unmanned technologies aimed at increasing battlefield versatility and operational effectiveness. As modern warfare increasingly relies on autonomous systems, LPP's UGV represents significant progress in force multiplication and tactical adaptability.

UGV

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries presents the concept of unmanned modernization of the Type 89 infantry fighting vehicle

 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has introduced the concept of an unmanned modernization of an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) Type 89. The proposal includes converting the vehicle into an unmanned ground vehicle (UAV) by replacing its troop compartment with eight launch tubes for Switchblade 600 barrage ammunition and integrating the turret with a 30 mm automatic cannon. This configuration eliminates the function of transporting vehicle personnel and repurposes it for a long-range precision strike. The initiative assumes that the platform will be remotely controlled, but this concept remains at an early conceptual stage.

BMRK Uran-9: reconnaissance and fire support robot of the Russian Armed Forces

Uran-9 reconnaissance and fire Support combat vehicle

The Uran-9 BMRK is designed to conduct reconnaissance and fire support for advanced and reconnaissance units of tactical combined arms formations. It increases the effectiveness of combat missions and reduces the loss of unit personnel during combat operations, including in urban environments.

The main tasks of the BMRK Uran-9

are reconnaissance: it collects information about the enemy and the terrain.

- Fire support: Supports combined arms and reconnaissance units with fire.

- Hitting targets: It is capable of hitting stationary and moving tank-type targets at ranges up to 5,000 m during the day and 3,500 m at night.

RROP Features

- Moving: It can move from on-board batteries in the engine shutdown mode.

- Automatic movement: It is able to move along a given route with automatic detection and avoidance of obstacles.

- Control: receives and transmits control commands from a mobile control point (MPU) and a remote control (remote control), and can also relay signals.

- Remote control: it is carried out at a distance of up to 3 km from the control panel, and signal relay between the control panels is possible at a distance of up to 1 km.

Technical specifications

- Curb weight: up to 12 tons.

- Dimensions: 5600x2500x3100 mm.

- Power plant capacity: 300 kW.

- Maximum speed: at least 35 km/h.

- Power reserve: 200 km.

- Continuous operation time: 6 hours at one gas station.

Weapon guidance sectors

- Cannon and small arms: 360° in the azimuthal plane, from -10° to +45° in the angle of the place.

- Rocket and flame-throwing weapons: 360° in the azimuthal plane, from -15° to +70° in the angle of the place.

 Composition of armament

- 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon.

- 7.62mm PKTM machine gun.

- The Ataka guided weapons system.

- Rocket-propelled infantry flamethrowers RPO PDM-A "Bumblebee-M.

Additional protection measures

A smoke screen installation system has been installed, which makes it possible to automatically create a smoke screen in the laser irradiation sector.