Watch: New Defense Buggy Under Development 

Watch: New Defense Buggy Under Development 

defense buggy

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An innovative hybrid vehicle developed by a Lithuanian company will provide new mobility possibilities for defense and security organizations. 

Ostara’s Krampus buggy is a compact vehicle with a hybrid electric-diesel engine. It will ensure reliable operation of the buggy even in harsh conditions during security and defense missions. The buggy will be able to be driven by a human or operate in the autonomous driving mode, which will be supported by advanced artificial intelligence systems.

Due to its design and software features, the Krampus will be able to run or operate in standby mode for a long period using only battery power and electricity generated by a diesel generator. At that time, the option to switch to fully electric mode will allow the buggy to drive especially quietly, which will be useful in tasks that require stealth and invisibility, according to the company.

Autonomous driving system programming and sensor integration will allow the Krampus to be sent for independent exploration of territories where people would be in danger, such as high in the mountains, where there is a lack of oxygen, in areas with high pollution levels. The buggy will be able to overcome routes independently even where there is no GPS navigation signal, for example, in tunnels.

According to armyrecognition.com, the buggy has two electric motors generating a power of 60 kW. With a diesel generator and fully charged batteries, the buggy will be able to cover a distance of up to 1000 km, and with an electric battery alone and in silent mode – up to 200 km. The vehicle can reach up to 120 km/h. The buggy is designed to carry up to 0.5 t of payload.

The buggy is not the final goal, the technologies and solutions created in the process of its development can be applied to other modes of transport: from lightweight buggies to heavy-duty transporters.

The team is currently working on the programming of the Krampus systems and subsystems. At the same time, the preparatory work for the integration of autonomous driving systems is in progress. 

“Without any doubt, in developing this type of product that is based on new technologies, there are plenty of challenges in every step – from body manufacturing to design and adjustment of various controllers. In any case, we need to find solutions that do not yet exist. A hybrid electric-diesel vehicle of this size and capability is being developed for the first time,” according to the company.

The Krampus prototype Mk1 is planned to be completed before September 2021.