Ukraine Rolls Out CRAB-LS Robotic Transporter for Logistics and Combat Operations

18 December, 2024 CRAB-LS robotic platform.

2024. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine The Ukrainian Defense Forces have put the domestically produced CRAB-LS ground robotic system into operation.

The Ministry of Defense reported that the transporter has already been codified. As noted, the wheeled CRAB-LS (Life Saver) is designed primarily to perform logistics tasks for troops. It is designed to deliver the necessary supplies, ammunition and equipment to the positions, as well as evacuate the wounded.

Militarnyi reported about this platform in the spring 2024. The gross weight of the medical and logistics version is 440 kilograms, and it is capable of carrying up to 270 kilograms of payload. It also accommodates two sitting or three lying down people.

The vehicle is 2000 mm long, 1080 mm wide, 780 mm high at the top base, and has a ground clearance of 300 mm.

Combat version

In addition, the robotic system can be used to install combat modules, this version is called CRAB-M (Military).

CRAB-M (Militarty) platform. Source: platform developers

The Military modification is designed for reconnaissance and strike operations. It is equipped with a combat module capable of using a PKT machine gun with a 650-round ammunition capacity and RPG-7 grenade launchers or RPV-16 flamethrowers.

In addition, the platform can perform remote mining and demining.

CRAB-M (Militarty) platform. Source: platform developers

The platform has a combat radius of 1.5 kilometers, a range of 25 kilometers and can operate continuously for 4 hours. It is 1480 mm long, 1080 mm wide, 580 mm high at the top base (1250 mm with the module), and has a ground clearance of 300 mm.

The platform has a lifting capacity of 150 kilograms. The Ministry of Defense reported that the CRAB ground system has a silent high-traction electric engine, all-terrain tires that allow it to overcome sandy embankments, marshy areas, as well as shallow ditches and obstacles. The platforms in both versions are controlled by a remote control or a special connected remote control.

The operator can control the platform using FPV goggles.

The Ministry of Defense said that CRAB-LS is already performing various tasks in the Defense Forces: "They evacuated dozens of wounded and delivered dozens of tons of cargo (ammunition, provisions) in the area of intense fighting, saving the lives of many soldiers."

The defense ministry also said that there is an example of this wheeled robotic platform being used as a ground-based kamikaze drone.