Xponential 2019: Estonia deploys THeMIS UGV to Mali

Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) has been deployed with Estonian soldiers serving in Mali, Gert Hankewitz, the company’s export director, told Jane’s at the 2019 Xponential show being held in Chicago from 29 April to 2 May.

The two configurations of the THeMIS that participated in Exercise ‘Autonomous Warrior’: the one on the left is equipped with the KX-4 LE Titan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while the one on right is the logistics version that can carry a payload of 750 kg. (IHS Markit/Melanie Rovery)

“Our newest generation of the THeMIS UGV will be deployed in Mali with Estonian soldiers for approximately 5 months,” he said. “It will support dismounted troops by carrying their gear and enhancing situational awareness as its primary function. Knowledge gained during the mission will be used for further R&D [research and development].”

The situational awareness role will be performed by the Threod Systems’ KX4-LE Titan unmanned quadcopter, which can reach a height of 80 m when tethered to the THeMIS and carry an electro-optical sensor payload weighing up to 4 kg so that it can relay geo-referenced surveillance imagery. The tether is used to supply power to increase the quadcopter’s endurance.

An Estonian infantry platoon (ESTPLA-28) is serving in Mali as part of the French-led Operation Barkhane counter-insurgency mission in the Sahel-Sahara region. Estonia also contributes personnel to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the EU-Training Mission in Mali.