China closing the UGV gap with US, Russia

[Zarvan]

The Giant Tiger UGV was displayed at Airshow China 2018. Source: Via Sing Tao Global Network News

China is closing the technology gap with the US and Russia in the development of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that feature autonomous capabilities such as waypoint navigation, targeting, obstacle avoidance, and terrain mapping.

The country continues to invest in research and development of these platforms as demonstrated in the 'Crossing Obstacles' UGV competition held in September in Beijing, and, more recently, in the 6-11 November Airshow China 2018 defence exhibition held in Zhuhai.

An example of this technological advancement is Sany Heavy Industry's Giant Tiger UGV, which is equipped with a host of sensors and dual satellite positioning systems that enable waypoint navigation in addition to autonomous route patrol. The tracked platform, which was shown at Airshow China 2018 armed with a 12.7-mm machine gun, is 1.4 m high, 4.2 m long, and 2.0 m wide. The armoured vehicleweighs 2.1 tonnes and can carry a payload of 800 kg.

Another example is an autonomous all-terrain vehicle (ATV) developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The platform, which resembles a quad bike and can be fitted with the TL-4 anti-tank-guided weapon (ATGW), can be used to attack multiple targets within several kilometres.

The China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) is the company leading the way in the country's UGV production. At Airshow China 2018 Norinco displayed four prototype UGVs, each of which was designed with a specific mission in mind. However, all these vehicles can autonomously avoid obstacles and automatically track and aim at targets.

The tracked 'King Leopard UGV features a mast-mounted gimbal camera to the rear, enabling images captured in the field to be transmitted to a command centre in real-time. The six-tonne vehicle can be armed with a 23 mm gun as well as anti-tank guided missiles.

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[Beast]

China is not closing but leaves them in dust.