It's the battle of the robotic combat vehicles at Eurosatory 2022. At the land and air defence show in Paris, Estonia's Milrem Robotics is demonstrating its Robotic Type-X Remote Combat Vehicle (RCV) fitted with the KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RT40 Remote Turret, which includes the Bushmaster 30 mm cannon and a linkless ammunition handling system.

The Type-X RCV is designed to provide equal or overmatching firepower to mechanized units, giving them the means to breach enemy defensive positions with minimal risk to their own troops. 

Milrem Robotis of Estonia first unveiled its Robotic Combat Vehicle in June 2021. But following many years of investment by the Israel Ministry of Defense's DDR&D and the Tank and APC Directorate, Israel is ready to showcase its M-RCV Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle, which will be unveiled today at Eurosatory 2022 in Paris on Elbit Systems stand.

The M-RCV Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle, which is aa joint product of many years of investment by the DDR&D and the Tank and APC Directorate, includes a new robotic platform type BLR-2 made by BL, a 30 mm autonomous turret developed by Israel's Tank and APC Directorate for the "Eitan" APC, Elbit's "Iron Fist" Active Protection System, fire control and mission management systems, and a robotic autonomous kit. The system will commence start field tests in 2023.

The M-RCV is packed with features, including a capsuled drone for forward reconnaissance missions, and a passive sensing kit developed by Elbit Systems and Foresight.   

The technological demonstrator, led by the Ministry of Defense's DDR&D and the Tank and APC Directorate, is also reported to include a number of “cutting-edge technologies,” including advanced manoeuvring capabilities, the ability to carry heavy and varied mission loads, and a built-in system for transporting and receiving UAVs. The video below shows a robotic arm on the M-RCV launching and receiving loitering munitions. 

The vehicle will also incorporate sights, an IAI missile launcher, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' "Spike" missiles. According to an official statement, the M-RCV's capabilities include a highly autonomous solution for forward reconnaissance, and controlled lethality in all-terrain conditions. It is operational during the day and night in all-weather scenarios, while emphasising operational effectiveness, simplicity, minimum operator intervention, and integration into heterogeneous unmanned arrays.

The system was developed as part of the autonomous battlefield concept led by the DDR&D in collaboration with the Tank and APC Directorate while implementing an open architecture for integrating future capabilities. 

A video of the M-RCV Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle in action 

 (Credit: Israeli MoD)