Ukraine adopts ground drones for evacuating wounded soldiers
he Armed Forces of Ukraine have introduced an innovative unmanned ground vehicle [UGV] to transport wounded soldiers safely from the front lines. Known as FOXTAC, this Ukrainian-developed UGV is designed to handle a soldier along with their full combat gear and ammunition, according to Liga.net.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense highlights that FOXTAC boasts a low silhouette, no higher than 40 cm, making it ideal for discreet evacuations amidst field vegetation. Impressively, this UGV can transition from transport mode to operational mode “within minutes” thanks to its strategic design. Remote and wired remote control options enable maneuvering, with the latter allowing medics to closely monitor and adjust the vehicle’s movement.
Additionally, this transporter can be fitted with devices to track its location and locate the platform and cargo if communication with the evacuation group is lost, according to the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense explained that the Armed Forces of Ukraine currently utilize various evacuation methods for wounded defenders. These include domestic and foreign tracked and wheeled armored vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles with specialized trailers, and, in many cases, hand stretchers.
Interestingly, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to evacuating the wounded. Combat medics must make decisions based on the immediate situation, considering the combat environment, terrain, camouflage needs, or the number and severity of injuries. The Ministry of Statistics head, Fedorov, highlighted in February that the FOXTAC system has a control distance of up to 700 meters and can range as far as 10 kilometers.
Getting precise figures on daily Ukrainian military casualties can be quite a challenge since official numbers are often classified. However, estimates indicate that Ukraine experiences hundreds of casualties each day, combining both deaths and injuries. Reports from the summer of 2023 suggest significant losses during their counteroffensive, with injury counts sometimes surpassing 400-500 troops daily. These figures can vary greatly depending on the intensity of the battles at the time.
Unmanned Ground Vehicles [UGVs] designed for transporting wounded soldiers provide a crucial advantage on the battlefield. They enhance the safety and efficiency of medical evacuations by navigating hostile or hazardous environments without putting medics or rescuers at risk. This significantly reduces the danger for personnel and ensures that wounded soldiers are quickly and safely extracted.
Beyond improving safety, UGVs can traverse difficult terrains that conventional vehicles cannot, such as muddy or uneven ground. These machines operate tirelessly, day and night, speeding up the transport of injured soldiers to medical facilities. Their all-weather, all-terrain capability makes UGVs indispensable for maintaining operational effectiveness and saving lives in combat situations.
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/09/06/ukraine-adopts-ground-drones-for-evacuating-wounded-soldiers/
