The Ukrainian military has reinforced one of its frontline units with domestically-made Sirko-S1 unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). The Azov Brigade, central to fighting in Donbas, received the Skylab-manufactured ground drone for various support roles such as transporting up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of cargo, including ammunition, food, medicines, and other military equipment. The UGV can also evacuate wounded soldiers, keeping Ukrainian medical personnel out of open positions. Furthermore, the Sirko-S1 can conduct reconnaissance missions with its thermal imager, laser rangefinder, and high-resolution camera.
The Skylab UGV features an electric drive for all four wheels, offering a low sound signature for covert operations. It has an encrypted communication system for jam-resistant controls and surveillance capability, allowing it to travel up to 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) under extreme operating conditions. With open systems architecture, new systems can be seamlessly integrated into the platform. The robot took six months to build.
As the Ukrainian government aims to expedite the development and deployment of military robotic platforms, the Sirko-S1 UGV deployment is part of this effort. Recently, the Ministry of Strategic Industries tested nine new UGVs from seven local manufacturers in demonstration trials, with most designed for evacuating the wounded while keeping operators at a safe distance. Medical Service official Ihor Shcherbakov highlighted that robotic systems can save lives, shorten evacuation times, and maintain combat effectiveness under any conditions.