THEMIS Unmanned ground vehicle (Estonia)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 25/01/2023

✔️ Subscribe to the channel  ✔️ Like it   ✔️ Write a comment   ✔️ Share with your friends

100 Subscribers ✔️  
200 Subscribers ✔️  
300 Subscribers ✔️
400 Subscribers
500 Subscribers  
1000 Subscribers

 The THEMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) is a remotely controlled Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). It was designed by MILREM Robotics, a newly established Estonian company. This company was founded in 2013.

   In modern time of digital revolution, where robotics and unmanned systems are steadily becoming integral part of military sector, one could never think that a company from a country that is not traditionally an arms producer, could develop such a versatile, formidable and practical unmanned system.

   Thanks to its smart design, THEMIS established itself as a versatile supplement to infantry units, where it is utilized as auxiliary system for quite a range of missions. It has already been deployed to combat zones and drawn attention of other big players in the sphere.

   The innovative design of the THEMIS basically represents two independent tracks that bear in their body two types of propulsion, diesel motor and electric generator (hereby it’s called Hybrid). Tracks are connected to each other by modular platform that can be equipped with various systems.

   Considering abovementioned, product family of MILREM THEMIS is impressively diverse. It includes: basic UGV platform, supply transport, lifting platform, Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle (UGCV) armed with various weapons, anti-tank platform, demining platform, training platform, articulated platform, MEDEVAC, recon/observer/patrol, CBRN detection, communication relay and fire fighting platform. The THEMIS can tow and pull wheeled objects with a maximum weight of up to 30 t, thus assuming recovery missions as well.

   Despite weighting almost 800 kg it is capable of transporting the payload of the same weight. A fully load THEMIS can easily cope off-road terrain thanks to its large rubber tracks. These have minimal pressure on the surface of no more than 0,12 kg/cm2. Due to its small size in comparison to full-fledged transport vehicles the THEMIS is nimble, agile and highly mobile in forest and bushy areas. So units that operate such UGVs might have tactical advantage.

   The THEMIS is remotely controlled from a distance of up to 1.5 km. This provides more safety to its operator. It also has features like “follow operator” and “autonomous control system”, thus substituting pack animals for transportation of equipment and supplies. These capabilities allow the operator to focus on other tasks during mission and not be distracted by operating the vehicle. The THEMIS also has swarming capability when group of these unmanned system can operate autonomously and conduct various types of joint tasks.

   The THEMIS is user friendly and easy to maintain. It superstructure can be easily replaced. It can be transported by helicopter both inside or underslung.

   This unmanned system was used and tested by the Estonian infantry platoon stationed in Mali.  Estonians were stationed at the country's major French base, and operated there under the United Nations peacekeeping mission MINUSMA. According to MILREM Robotics’ information, THEMIS saw its first combat experience in 2019, when the UGV was hit by a suicide vehicle packed with explosives. The THEMIS sustained significant damage. It withstood blast created by nearly 200 kg of explosive materials, yet and the UGV remained operational.

   MILREM is promoting THEMIS for civilian applications as well. Considering its capability of trailing and pulling heavy weights THEMIS could be used in farming and agricultural sector, where remote-control and automatization is becoming one of the main requirements. UGVs are also considered as a future potential platforms for firefighters, since large scale forest and landscape fires are becoming one of the biggest threats and challenges throughout the world, not to mention fires in urban environment.

   In 2022 at least one THEMIS unmanned vehicle was delivered to Ukraine. It was announced that a number of these unmanned vehicles will be delivered. Their roles will be evacuation of wounded soldiers from the frontline and delivery of ammunition.

   A Yigi Group of China developed a clone of the THEMIS. Though it is believed that the Chinese drone has a weaker frame and can not achieve performance of Estonian THEMIS.