Estonia's Milrem launches joint effort with Norway's Kongsberg, US' Qinetiq

Estonian defense solutions provider Milrem is set to launch a joint product effort with Norwegian defense industry company Kongsberg and Qinetiq North America (QNA) this week.
The three companies' joint effort will involve developing smart unmanned ground vehicles with concepts regarding their use in order to minimize dangerous risks to personnel.
For the first time, a Javelin weapons system has been mounted on the Themis platform, Milrem stated in a press release.
"This is a great opportunity to collaborate with such an esteemed company as Kongsberg and continue our cooperation with QNA," said Milrem CEO Kuldar Väärsi. "Integration of [the Protector ]remote weapon station is another example of how easily the Themis can be configured for different applications. These various applications form a system of robotic warfare capabilities."
The remotely operated robotic fire support and force protection system will be introduced at the Ground Robotics Capabilities Exhibition and Conference 2017 (GRCCE) in Springfield, Va. this week. The joint effort features the Themis unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), the Protector remote weapon station and QNA's UGV control systems.
Last October, Milrem and QNA introduced the Titan UGV for dismounted troop support featuring the Themis UGV coupled with QNA'S UGV control technology — the Tactical Robot Controller (TRC) and Robotic Applique Kit (RAK). This vehicle will be displayed at GRCCE as well.
Milrem is simultaneously developing a concept for the roles that unmanned solutions could perform operating in conjunction with soldiers on the future battlefield. The concept, titled Digital Infantry Battlefield Solution, is being developed by Milrem in collaboration with the Estonian National Defence College, the Latvian National Defence Academy, the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, Riga Technical University, the University of Tartu, and Tallinn University of Technology.
Part one of the project was completed last December, and a tactical analysis of it is currently underway.
Milrem is an Estonian technology solutions provider. The company's key business areas include the research and development of unmanned vehicles and life cycle management for heavy military vehicles.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS