IAI Unveils Rex MK II: A New Multi-Mission Unmanned Land Vehicle

By: Gil Tanenbaum

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the Rex MK II, its newest unmanned land platform. The IAI says that the Rex MK II is intended to keep troops out of harm’s way in complex circumstances. Models have already been sold to customers around the world.

Unmanned is the way of the future for all militaries and security forces around the world. We have heard all about unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, used everywhere for reconnaissance. These are also known as drones. The American military has been using them for years to strike at wanted terrorists in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Israel uses them for surveillance in Gaza, Lebanon and other locations. They spare the risk of life to pilots. And they are also used by law enforcement. New types of UAVs and drones are being developed which could be used by firefighters trying to put out forest fires like the recent ones in Jerusalem.

Now we have unmanned vehicles of different types that can be used by the military. We already have driverless cars. Soon we may have driverless tanks and fully automated artillery that can be operated by personnel located miles away from the combat zone and out of harm’s way.

The Rex MK II is an unmanned land vehicle adapted to a range of ground missions with advanced maneuverability and the ability to carry a load of 1.3 tons. IAI declares that its new hybrid electric platform, all-wheel drive, supports combat forces in gathering intelligence, providing logistical support, and helps them to execute remote attacks. The vehicle is land-based, autonomous with command-and-control capabilities, or by a single operator through wireless communication. The system will be presented at the DSEI exhibition in London, this week.

The multi-mission Rex MK II is intended to support infantry ground forces in various stages of fighting. This includes providing logistical assistance to troops by carrying munition supplies, critical medical equipment, water, and food, as well as evacuating injured personnel on stretchers. The system can also gather intelligence through a situation-awareness system that incorporates electro-optical sensors and radar.

The Rex MK II also enables conducting attacks by using remotely controlled weapons systems including a 7.62mm machine gun, a cal 0.50 heavy machine gun, and as a multi-mission multi-purpose platform to support additional missions based on troops’ needs. (TPS)