DIGITAL LIFE

Russia tests armed robot that fires mortars alone, without human intervention

Russia unveiled on Monday (6) a new ground-based robotic system armed with a mortar capable of operating in a fully automated manner, without the need for soldiers on the battlefield. Called Kurier, the equipment was recently tested with live ammunition and could be used in the conflict against Ukraine.

Images released show the tracked vehicle rotating its turret on snow-covered terrain before firing successive 82 mm grenades. After each shot, a mechanical arm performs automatic reloading in about five seconds, maintaining a continuous cycle of fire without human intervention.

The experimental machine has been filmed for the first time undergoing live-fire trials with a newly revealed Bagulnik-82 mortar module, according to Russian outlet RG.

In the video, the tracked robot is seen rotating its turret in a snowfield before unleashing a series of 82mm mortar rounds.

After firing at a target far away in the distance, an automated mechanical arm swings into action, swiftly inserting fresh rounds into the mortar tube.

This terrifyingly fast reload cycle takes just five seconds.

The weapon is designed to operate remotely on the battlefield either alongside Russian troops or to be used to fire at will without them.

The Kremlin footage of the Bagulnik-82 module is the first time the autonomous weapon has been showcased publicly.

Military analysts believe it is likely based on Russia’s 2B24 82mm light mortar.

Putin is known to try and deploy bizarre new weapons into battle to help continue his flailing war.

Automation on the battlefield...The mortar module used, identified as Bagulnik-82, had not yet been officially presented. Analysts believe that the system may be based on the Russian 2B24 light mortar, but with adaptations aimed at total automation, an indication that the conflict is moving towards a scenario with greater prominence of unmanned systems.

The expectation is that the equipment can be operated remotely and eventually sent for use in combat. The development comes amid the intensification of the war, which has already lasted more than four years since the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory.

Meanwhile, recent attacks are increasing the pressure on civilians and infrastructure. In the port city of Odessa, Russian bombings killed two women and a child, and injured others, according to local authorities and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In response, Ukrainian drones have struck strategic targets inside Russia, including oil facilities and ports on the Black Sea. Moscow claims to have intercepted dozens of unmanned aircraft in recent attacks.

The clashes are also affecting the energy infrastructure. Ukrainian regions have suffered significant damage to the power grid, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power. At the same time, Kyiv warns of the urgent need to strengthen air defense systems in the face of increased Russian attacks.

The technological escalation, with the increasing use of drones and now armed robotic systems, signals a new phase of the conflict, marked by a reduction in the direct human presence on the front lines and an expansion in the use of automated weapons.

After multiple instances of UGVs in Ukraine from both sides fitted with machine guns or grenade launchers, a UGV with a Bagulnik-82 82 mm mortar system providing longer range and more meaningful firepower has made its appearance. The UGV used as the platform for Bagulnik-82 is the Kurier medium-class UGV which has been introduced recently.

Bagulnik-82 uses a robotic arm that picks and loads the ammunition without human intervention for reloading. The mortar is also fitted with recoil dampeners to improve stability, especially on light platforms. 82 mm mortars can reach a range of about four kilometres with standard HE ammunition.

Beyond the range value, indirect fire leaves little room for cover. In addition to this, employment of UAVs to provide location and, by extension, range has greatly improved the accuracy of short-range indirect fire weaponry during the war in Ukraine.

Other heavy weaponry proposed for UGVs to provide fire support over the recent years include unguided/guided rockets and even anti-tank missiles.

mundophone