Ukrainians Test Remote-Controlled Truck With .50 Caliber Gun Turret

A Ukrainian enterprise is diligently crafting a novel kind of autonomous vehicle designed for combat situations. This vehicle is essentially a militarized truck, devoid of the need for an onboard driver, equipped to release .50 caliber bullets onto its targets via remote operation.

Based in Kyiv, the company ‘Ukrainian Armored Vehicles’ showcased new footage of their creation, the ‘Protector’ – a ground-based drone integrated with a Tavria-12.7 turret for testing at shooting ranges.

Characteristically, the Tavria-12.7 system is a remote turret fitted with a formidable machine gun. It is usually attached to armored vehicles, enabling operators inside to engage targets without exposing themselves to harm.

Leveraging these dual technologies, the company claims the Protector has evolved into a sophisticated combat-ready unit. Feedback from test runs, involving static and dynamic shooting from varying distances, has been promising, as confirmed by the company's leading director, Vladyslav Belbas.

The Protector and its turret counterpart, the Tavria-12.7, have been sanctioned for active combat deployment by Ukraine’s defense authority. This approval paves the way for integration with military units.

The defense ministry claims the vehicle can traverse 400 kilometers (approximately 250 miles) under remote control and can bear about 700 kilograms (1,543 pounds) of cargo. The absence of a traditional driver’s compartment grants seating for about eight individuals on the truck platform.

When the vehicle was first introduced in September 2024, it featured protections that adhere to the NATO Level 1 ballistic standards, protecting against small firearms but not larger caliber weaponry.

The robust military truck is propelled by a 190-horsepower engine, capable of reaching a maximum velocity of 37 mph. Furthermore, the Tavria-12.7 turret is operational in both day and night conditions and offers armored protection against light weaponry and fragments.

Initially conceptualized for logistical support, the Protector aims at safely evacuating injured individuals and transporting vital supplies into perilous zones, a role historically fraught with danger for human soldiers.

However, its potential as a formidable combat asset was also acknowledged early on, with the company releasing visualizations displaying the Protector equipped with machine guns or anti-tank weaponry.

Emergence of UGVs

Throughout the extended and gradually evolving conflict, uncrewed ground vehicles—or UGVs—have become prevalent in Ukraine as both sides adopt affordable automated technologies to mitigate resource and manpower losses.

Over recent years, Ukrainian innovators have introduced a diverse array of combat UGVs, typically designed with smaller frames or utilizing tracked systems for transporting guns or missile launchers.

The truck-based architecture of the Protector promises superior speed and weight capacity compared to many competitors, although its size might increase the risk of detection and targeting.