AARDVARK strengthening UK sovereign capability with autonomous platforms

Known primarily for its 40-year legacy developing robust solutions for the clearance of UXO, The Aardvark Group is now delivering next-generation platforms with the support of a cohort of dynamic supply chain partners, collaborating with leading experts in AI, sensor technology and humanmachine interfaces (HMI).

The focus is extending critical missions while massively reducing the human burden in environments ranging from Defence to Fire, Search & Rescue.

Developed at Aardvark’s ‘Hub’ in the Midlands - the global epicentre of advanced engineering, and historical heart of UK manufacturingand launched at DSEI 2021 in London: The Aardvark autonomous UGV, RANG-R.

RANG-R (Remote Autonomous Next Generation-Rover) provides high level multi-role capability, and integrates advanced situational awareness technologies, designed to mitigate a wide variety of threats in increasingly demanding and hazardous operational conditions.

“Our clients required a multi-role UGV solution that embodied the Aardvark ethos of reliability, survivability and affordability and I truly believe that the RANG-R delivers fully against that requirement,” commented CEO, David St John-Claire.

At the heart of RANG-R’s design approach is vehicle survivability. The platform can survive a blast from a device of up to 8.8 kg of explosive. This high level of survivability serves to protect the mission allowing RANG-R to remain on task and provide protected mobility support in the most dangerous of environments.

RANG-R’s core capability is supporting the logistic requirements of dismounted troops in both standard and air assault environments. RANG-R has the largest payload capability in its class with a maximum capacity of 3,850 kg and a range of 100 km and the ability to selfload and unload.

Tempo and endurance are key to successful operations and with a maximum speed of 70 kph, a range of 100 km and the capacity to operate for 72 hrs without the need for resupply, RANG-R has been designed and built to meet those demands.

A key challenge for autonomous navigation in UGVs is creating an intelligent system that can map and reroute its own path, making decisions to avoid upcoming threats or obstructions, whilst keeping information secure from adversaries.

RANG-R does not always work alone. The multi-role UGV can work alongside operators or be sent to a forward location to meet with troops who can use it to dig a trench or fill sandbags, reducing the physical burden on soldiers thus maintaining force effectiveness. Developed by the same team, RANG-R shares common technologies and capability with the Aardvark GEN2 autonomous mine clearing machine.

Aardvark has made significant investments to sustain the development of the RANG-R and the GEN2 platforms in the UK while continuing to support the legacy Aardvark AMCS which has attracted new interest owing to the current global conflicts.

Through a mature export strategy, the global delivery of Aardvark’s autonomous platforms will benefit the UK’s allies around the world. The Aardvark Group is proud of the part it has played in the SME community for the past 40 years and supports the Department for International Trade in its efforts to ensure UK SMEs are at the forefront of representing UK plc in its engagement with Sovereign States around the globe.