IDV presents autonomous land systems at Eurosatory

At Eurosatory, IDV, a Leonardo company, introduced its latest developments in the field of uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) and autonomous systems. In the context of modern hybrid conflicts, UGVs are rapidly gaining importance, as they enable smaller armed forces to generate disproportionate combat power. Thanks to extremely short development cycles in both software and hardware, these systems offer the technological flexibility to adapt to modern processors, sensors, and AI applications.

Multirole 6×6 UGV Viking

The centerpiece of the exhibition appearance was the international debut of the next-generation multirole 6×6 UGV Viking. The vehicle features an increased purely electric range of up to 30 kilometers, as well as the mast-mounted Janus-D electro-optical sensor system. This system enables precise remote control and machine-readability while the vehicle remains under cover.

IDV displayed the platform in two new configurations:

• The first variant is equipped with the advanced Leonardo Hitrole C-UAS remote weapon station, allowing for mobile defense operations against aerial threats.
• The second configuration features an MBDA ground-based precision missile system designed to engage high-value, non-line-of-sight targets in fire-and-forget mode.

Uncrewed, light hybrid tank CLX2

As another world premiere, IDV presented the CLX2, an uncrewed, light hybrid tank on rubber tracks. This 16-ton system, with a payload capacity of up to five tons, combines a series-hybrid propulsion concept with fully autonomous capabilities. It reaches a top speed of 70 km/h and a total range of 500 kilometers, 30 kilometers of which can be used for stealth operations in silent battery mode.

The CLX2 is designed for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), where a single crewed command vehicle coordinates multiple uncrewed combat units. At the trade show, the tank was exhibited as an escort vehicle for main battle tanks, equipped with Leonardo’s Hitfist 30 UL remote weapon station to counter drones and asymmetric threats.

MACE for retrofitting existing vehicles

In addition to the new platforms, IDV demonstrated the retrofittability of existing fleets. The MACE (Modular Autonomy Controlled Equipment) autonomy system and the GPS-independent ATLAS navigation system were developed to be integrated into older vehicle types, offering armed forces a cost-effective path to fleet digitalization. To illustrate the networked interaction of these systems, IDV used an interactive simulation to show how a small command unit controls an entire UGV fleet—from the strategic command level down to the individual soldier in combat.

 Gerhard Heiming

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