Autor fotografie: Israel Press and Photo Agency (I.P.P.A.) / Dan Hadani collection, National Library of Israel / CC BY 4.0|Popisek: IDF's M113 in Lebanon in 1984
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have accelerated their effort to use remote controlled armoured ground vehicles in the Gaza war. The effort began before the war broke out on Oct. 7, but has been accelerated in recent weeks.
On Sep. 1 an Israeli defence source told Security&Defence that the first remote controlled M113 are expected to enter service in early 2025. The necessity grew urgent as a result of Hamas' extensive employment of anti-tank weaponry and its placement of hidden bombs along Israeli forces' routes. The IDF claims that the quantity of these attacks took the fighting forces within the Gaza Strip by surprise. The effort now is to adapt armored personnel carriers (APC) that are utilized for logistics and are not protected, as well as the D-9 bulldozers that are used to open safe pathways by exposing explosives through surface excavation for remote control or autonomous operation.
IAI was chosen to develop the system to its full potential
These platforms are no longer in use since the M113's protection level was so low. The IDF intends to use the decommissioned M113 to run logistic convoys under remote control. The Israeli Ministry of Defense launched a competition a few years ago with the goal of creating a robotic fighting vehicle. This comes after Hamas found it simple to target the manned logistic convoys during earlier battles in Gaza. Following some preliminary testing, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, and Rafael—three of the country's leading defense companies—participated. IAI was chosen to develop the system to its full potential.
IAI has been selected as the prime contractor and integrator for developing the concept and technologies for the future Armored Fighting Vehicle for the IDF – the Carmel. IAI has developed and proven a combat concept in which an AFV, with closed hatches, that is operated by a two-man crew and can successfully cope with existing and future challenges on the battlefield. This solution is based on automatic and autonomous systems that complement the two-man team, and operate the central subsystems – the vehicles’ mission planning and management, situational awareness, driving and lethality.
These capabilities which are based on classified modules allow the team to define, supervise and interfere only when there is a necessity or need, and enable to cover a wider area of concern while effectively meeting the challenges faced by the maneuvering forces. The system has the ability to locate and destroy time-sensitive targets with small footprints, through quick acquisition and effective engagement of targets. These capabilities have been proven on the new Israeli developed Eitan AFV.
Robotic M113 capability to move in convoys to supply the forces
While the currently selected type is manned, the long-range plan is to give these combat vehicles the capability for autonomous action. This according to the Israeli ministry of defence. The development according to sources in the defence industry went on slowly but when the war broke out on Oct. 7, very quickly the need for remotely controlled ground systems became obvious. Currently, two private Israeli companies are working on reaching a point where the M113 are capable to move in convoys to supply the forces with ammunition.
Cognata has developed a simulating tool that enables testing autonomous vehicles on roads. Shay Rootman director of business development of Cognata said that the company's system is based on a "Digital Twin" of the real world. This high definition very detailed simulation was created by using HD Maps, aerial photography, and other inputs that add to the "reality" of the simulation. Rootman said that this high resolution simulation shows the area used by the vehicles exactly as they look in reality. "We give the client almost 100 percent of possible scenarios so that he can be assured that his vehicle has been able to counter all of them," Rootman said and added that now the system is being updated to simulate ground systems in fighting areas. The other company is Magal Technologies, that use special computerized systems to adapt vehicles to work safely under a variety of conditions including in full autonomy.
Meir Magal, the company's CEO said that while the final target is to allow the D-9's and M113 to operate autonomously, at this point they are only capable to safely operate by remote control "At this point the D-9 is controlled by a dedicated communication systems. The M113 will be remote controlled in the same way. We work around the clock to get to a point where the two platforms are capable of safe operation autonomously but this will take more time." Magal explained that is will take more work to approve the safe full autonomous operation of these two ground platforms.
By Arie Egozi