IDEX 2021: South Korean UGV makes overseas debut

Hanwha Defense has displayed a prototype of its Multi-Purpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle (MPUGV) at the IDEX defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi on 21-25 February.

This marks the first trade show appearance for the 4x4 electric-drive MPUGV outside South Korea.

Development of MPUGV was completed in 2019 ‘as part of a state project aimed at developing unmanned robotics to support infantry troops in different combat situations’, Hanwha Defense noted in a 22 February statement.

The 1.5t MPUGV can be operated either remotely or autonomously to carry out various missions, such as surveillance, logistics transport, evacuation of casualties and combat engagement.

It has a top speed of 30km/h on paved roads with a payload of up to 200kg, including an RWS that locks onto targets by using an acoustic sensor. The UGV can function for up to 14h on a single charge but this increases to 72h if a range extender is used.

The MPUGV was the first military UGV to pass field tests and evaluations in South Korean, Hanwha Defense claimed, although the Defense Acquisition Program Administration preferred the Hyundai Rotem Multipurpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle in a November 2020 contract award.

Hanwha expects to launch an upgraded version of MPUGV in modular 6x6 configuration by Q3 this year. The new version will feature a higher payload capacity, faster top speed and longer operational range, it added.

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