Britain to Test Remotely Operated Weevil Engineering Vehicle

The UK Ministry of Defence will test the remotely controlled Weevil engineering vehicle.

The UK Ministry of Defence announced this.

The unmanned system is a modular solution that can be integrated with other platforms, depending on customer requirements.

The prototype is based on the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle, fitted with a specialized plough system and a remotely operated Beacon system from Pearson Engineering.

To provide a high level of situational awareness, the vehicle is equipped with a set of sensors and cameras, which offer a comprehensive view of the surrounding environment and facilitate remote operation.

Control is possible from several kilometers away and is carried out by a single operator.

Pearson Engineering and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) of the UK Ministry of Defence are now launching vehicle trials in the field.

In the future, the Weevil is expected to replace the three-person Trojan engineering vehicle based on the Challenger 2 main battle tank in the British Army.

A tablet interface for the Weevil remotely controlled engineering vehicle. Photo credits: Dstl

The UK Ministry of Defence describes the project as revolutionary, as it incorporates lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where engineering vehicles have been particularly vulnerable to FPV drone attacks. In addition, a mine explosion can disable a vehicle and expose the crew to enemy fire.

“The desired moment will come when we no longer have to send our people directly into the danger zone to clear minefields. This equipment can tackle the deadly threat of mines under the most challenging conditions while remaining under the remote control of our soldiers, a few miles from the scene,” Luke Pollard, the UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces, stated.

Militarnyi previously reported that a US company specializing in reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions plans to expand its operations in the UK.

The new facility is expected to operate independently from its parent company in the United States. It will have its own research and development division and the ability to manufacture a selected range of weapons within the British unit.