Ukraine converts iconic HMMWV into robot vehicle

Ukrainian company Drone Fight Group has deployed an HMMWV, known popularly as “Humvee”, converted into a remotely operated vehicle using its Kaban system, delivering three units to Ukrainian military formations, the company said.

The vehicles went to the 3rd Army Corps, the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment “Achilles” and the 49th Brigade of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Kaban gives an operator remote control over vehicle movement, lights, infrared illumination, searchlights, two-way audio communication and onboard computer data.

Rather than building a purpose-made unmanned ground vehicle, Kaban is designed to convert existing vehicle platforms already in military service. The company said this approach lets operators upgrade vehicles already in a fleet and configure them for logistics, resupply, evacuation, reconnaissance support and other missions where keeping a driver inside the vehicle creates unnecessary risk.

The system includes a digital map for plotting routes and placing markers, along with manual navigation correction intended to keep the vehicle moving if GPS signals are jammed or spoofed. A predicted trajectory display helps the operator steer and maneuver. If the connection between operator and vehicle is lost, the system stops the vehicle automatically.

Kaban connects over satellite, extending its operating range beyond what short-range radio control typically allows. The company said the control station and vehicle can operate at significantly greater distances depending on network availability and mission conditions, rather than requiring an operator to remain physically close to the vehicle.

“Our goal is not simply to make a vehicle drive remotely,” said David, lead developer of the system. “We are building a system that gives an operator enough information and control to confidently perform real missions from a safer location. That includes vehicle systems, navigation, communications, fail-safe behavior, and the ability to adapt the platform to different operational requirements.”

The system can also be extended with mission-specific equipment, including net launchers and drone launch platforms, according to the company.

Deployment follows four stages: assessing the vehicle platform and mission requirements, installing and configuring the Kaban hardware and controls for that specific vehicle, testing vehicle controls and communications across multiple scenarios, and training operators, with ongoing technical support after deployment.

“There are enormous fleets of conventional vehicles already in service around the world,” said Vladyslav Plaksin, co-founder of the Kaban project and founder of Drone Fight Group. “Kaban is about giving those platforms a new capability. Instead of replacing a vehicle with a purpose-built unmanned system, we can convert an existing platform and remove the driver from missions where having a person inside the vehicle creates unnecessary risk.”

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