foto: DSS/UGV with the PZD 762 MG
DSS, in collaboration with the Ukrainian firm NMZ, is intensively developing a modern remote-controlled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) armed with a PZD 762 Mk0 machine gun chambered in 7.62 × 51 mm NATO.
This system represents a significant step forward in the field of ground combat robotization and is designed primarily for multi-tiered territorial defense, patrolling high-risk zones, and providing direct fire support to units in the most exposed sections of the battlefield. At a time when modern conflicts are increasingly shifting toward a dimension of technological superiority, such autonomous platforms are becoming a key element in the survival and effectiveness of armed forces.
Robotic platform, weapon station, and PZD 762 Mk0 machine gun
The basis for the successful integration of the machine gun onto the UGV platform was the development of a sophisticated electrically controlled firing mechanism that completely replaces the traditional mechanical trigger. Thanks to this solution, the weapon can be fully controlled remotely via a secure data link. From the safety of a command post, the operator can open and cease fire, activate or deactivate safety mechanisms, and perform other necessary tasks. This capability allows the system to be deployed from virtually anywhere within communication range, which dramatically reduces the risk to human crews.
The combat system consists of three main integrated components. The first is a self-propelled robotic platform with an electric drive, which ensures high mobility and quiet operation. The second component is a remotely controlled weapon station equipped with an advanced targeting and observation system, including day and night vision, thermal imaging, and a laser rangefinder. The third element is the DSS PZD 762 Mk0 machine gun itself, which is stably mounted on the weapon station and provides reliable firepower.
The UGV draws on experience from Ukraine
The platform’s technical specifications are tailored to demanding combat conditions. It reaches a maximum speed of approximately 20 km/h, allowing for rapid movement between positions. The range on a single battery charge is around 120 km, though the actual range depends on the type of terrain, weather conditions, and the intensity of operational use. With a 7.62 × 51 mm NATO caliber, the system can effectively engage targets at ranges of up to approximately 1,000 meters, making it an ideal tool for infantry support and independent patrols.
The development of this UGV is a direct response to the dramatic changes in the nature of the modern battlefield. The massive deployment of both reconnaissance and attack FPV drones has created a so-called “kill zone”—a deadly zone extending tens of kilometers deep behind the line of contact, where any movement of troops or equipment is detected almost immediately and exposed to the risk of destruction. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are responding to this threat at an unprecedented pace. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, ground robotic systems carried out nearly 24,500 combat and reconnaissance missions. At the same time, the government plans to order tens of thousands of additional systems of various types and sizes throughout 2026.
Armed UGVs have already proven their extraordinary value on the Ukrainian battlefield. Some units equipped with mounted machine guns were able to independently hold key frontline positions for several weeks without a single soldier in direct contact with the enemy. In this way, they take on the most dangerous tasks that would otherwise cost human lives. It is precisely in the protection of human resources that the greatest strategic benefit of the DSS and NMZ projects lies. Robotic vehicles do not completely replace soldiers, but they significantly reduce their exposure in the most dangerous zones.
The UGV’s Ability to Counter Drones
In the coming months, these vehicles will be deployed to real combat environments. In addition to standard ammunition, they will also be equipped with special 7.62 × 51 mm anti-drone ammunition. These are advanced rounds with a fragmenting projectile that, upon leaving the barrel, disperses in a controlled manner into several sub-projectiles (most commonly tungsten elements). This mechanism significantly increases the probability of hitting fast-moving small aerial targets, such as FPV drones. Leading European manufacturers are currently developing or already mass-producing similar ammunition, which ensures availability and compatibility.
The combination of a robust robotic platform, a precise remote-controlled weapon station, and specialized anti-drone ammunition transforms the UGV into a versatile tool. It is no longer merely a platform for direct fire support, but a fully-fledged mobile component of counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) defense within a comprehensive, multi-layered territorial defense system. Such a system can effectively protect critical infrastructure, convoys, command posts, and forward infantry positions.
The future of ground-based robotic systems appears to be one of the major trends of the 21st century. Through their project, DSS and NMZ demonstrate that collaboration between Czech and Ukrainian experts yields innovative solutions with the potential to shift the balance of power on the battlefield. With a growing emphasis on minimizing casualties and maximizing technological superiority, it is expected that similar systems will become a standard part of the arsenal of modern armies around the world in the coming years. This development not only increases combat effectiveness but, above all, protects what is most valuable—human lives.
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