Scouts receive RATEL ground drones

24 July, 2023 Ukrainian RATEL ground unmanned systems. July 2023. Ukraine.

Frame from the video of Vladyslav Shevchenko A special force unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine received a serial batch of RATEL ground drones. Funds for these unmanned vehicles were raised by Ukrainian actor Vladislav Shevchenko.

Six UGVs with control panels and repeaters cost UAH 730 thousand. Ukrainian operators were armed with the first production batch of these ground drones. RATEL is designed to destroy enemy positions and armored vehicles, to which the operator must direct this drone.

Ukrainian RATEL ground unmanned systems.

July 2023. Ukraine. Frame from the video of Vladyslav Shevchenko

The maximum speed of the drone is 24 kilometers, and the operating time is 40-50 minutes at normal speed and up to 2 hours at reduced speed.

The drone can be equipped with 35 kilograms of payload, taking into account obstacles in the way of the UGV. The main idea is that this RATEL is used as a mobile warhead that carries anti-tank mines or other explosives.

Repeater and remote controller of the Ukrainian ground drone of the RATEL system. July 2023.

Ukraine. Frame from the video of Vladyslav Shevchenko

Some Ukrainian military use ground drones with MON-200 directional type anti-personnel mine. Due to its large size, this directional type of mine can also be used against lightly armored vehicles.

Ukrainian military with an UGV carrying a MON-200 mine.

July 2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: @TheDeadDistrict

It is worth noting that Russia is also developing ground-based unmanned systems able to destroy armored vehicles.

In April 2023, the AV 04.2 unmanned ground system for ??-62 anti-tank mines was demonstrated in Russia.