Unmanned agility

David Donald

Sunday, 22 February, 2009

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau has a number of vehicle and weapon system projects under development, with four new systems on show at IDEX, including the latest version of its unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) programme.

UGVs are increasingly being used for both military and civil security tasks. KADDB’s programme initially produced a vehicle with a 70kg payload, but the latest product can carry 110kg. It can be armed with a 7.62mm machine gun or a twin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher. It is a 6x6 all-wheel drive vehicle with low-pressure tyres, allowing it to climb steep gradients and stairs, as demonstrated on KADDB’s stand (Hall 12, Stand C10).

KADDB is also promoting its Stallion light armoured car for peacekeeping and internal security roles, a commanddetonated anti-personnel weapon system, and a remote weapon station. The Jordan Advanced Remote Systems division has a range of small UAVs on show.

Dominating the stand is an upgraded Scorpion light tank, intended for the fast, airtransportable reconnaissance and tank-killing role. KADDB has extensively reworked this popular vehicle, devising a new unmanned multi-weapon turret, which can also be applied to virtually any ICV/APC capable of carrying the weight. The turret mounts a heavy cannon, machine gun and ATGM launcher, together with sensors and countermeasures dispensers.

Advantages offered by the turret include increased internal volume for additional ammunition and equipment.

KADDB’s 6x6 UGV demonstrates its agility while carrying a 7.62mm machine gun