The French defense authority (DGA) announced at the beginning of February that on December 30, it had granted the industrial company KNDS France and Safran Electronics & Defense the DROIDE framework agreement in the field of ground robotics. This agreement will run for seven years and is aimed at researching the technologies required to meet capacity needs in the field of ground robotics in the 2030 to 2035 timeframe.
The capability considerations provide for an acceleration of the use of remote-controlled vehicles and an expansion of the range of their missions, including in the ground area, which is particularly complex. The framework agreement also provides for the involvement of third-party partners who can present innovations.
To support this development, the DROIDE framework agreement aims to mature the key technologies required for ground-based robotic platforms on the battlefield. The contract will be concretized through the development of a multi-mission ground-based robotic demonstrator. The ground robot, which supports combat from land, is intended to increase the capabilities of the battle group while reducing the risk to soldiers.
The contract thus contributes to fulfilling the ambitions of the French military programming law in the field of autonomous systems and to preparing future armament operations for the robotization of ground combat.
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