Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) has announced that its advanced IP Mesh radio technology will be integrated into the Viking unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). This vehicle is being provided by HORIBA MIRA, a prominent automotive and defense engineering company, to the UK’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
The Viking is a 6×6 UGV engineered to carry up to 750kg of supplies across challenging terrains over extended distances. The acquisition and testing of the Viking are financed through the Joint Tactical Autonomous Resupply and Replenishment (JTARR) Risk Reduction initiative, which supports Project Theseus. This project focuses on developing experimental autonomous logistics systems aimed at minimizing risks for frontline personnel.
Central to the Viking UGV’s communication capabilities are the NETNode 5RM IP Mesh Radio and the SOLO8 SDR-H handheld Software-Defined Radio (SDR) unit from DTC. Both devices utilize the company’s cutting-edge COFDM IP MANET MIMO Mesh technology, ensuring reliable performance and high data transmission rates even in complex, dynamic environments and congested urban settings.
The NETNode 5RM IP Mesh Radio is equipped with integrated dual HD video encoders and a GPS receiver, offering MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) MANET (Mobile Adhoc Networking) functionalities.This allows the Viking UGV to function as a node within a self-organizing, self-repairing mesh network of unmanned vehicles and other systems. consequently,the vehicle can transmit and relay video feeds and critical mission data over a flexible and resilient network that can cover extensive distances.
The SOLO8 SDR-H is a compact device that can serve as both a MANET IP Mesh node and a point-to-point (P2P) CODFM transmitter. The P2P CODFM capability is crucial for delivering essential data with minimal latency in challenging radio frequency environments, making it suitable for applications like urban search and rescue and explosive ordnance disposal.
Three prototype Viking UGVs have been delivered to Dstl, with trials being conducted in partnership with the Combat Service Support Training and Development Unit (CSS TDU) located in Aldershot, UK. Dstl aims to explore the potential and limitations of this unmanned platform, paving the way for future acquisitions and enhancing the British Army’s understanding of advanced autonomous vehicle applications.
Equipped with cutting-edge AI-driven autonomous features, the versatile unmanned platform can perform various missions, including battlefield support, ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance), counter-IED operations, and autonomous resupply tasks, even in GPS-denied environments.
Nigel lee, DTC’s VP of International Sales, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with MIRA on this notable UK MOD Robotic & Autonomous Systems (RAS) program. He noted that this partnership builds on DTC’s previous provision of secure, MANET Mesh data radios to other UGV manufacturers for the UK MOD’s Robotic Platoon Vehicle (RPV) initiative, as well as supporting UxV platform manufacturers in the aerial and maritime sectors for UAVs/drones and USVs. DTC is at the forefront of encrypted,networked military mesh data communications in the UK,facilitating Full Motion Video (FMV),telemetry control Data,and Positional Data for ‘On-the-Move’ applications.
