Iron Shield adds SPEXTER, a tracked route-proving vehicle, to its ground line

SPEXTER is a small, tough tracked vehicle built by Iron Shield to go first. It moves ahead of the force at walking pace and proves a route before a RAVLYK or a soldier on foot commits to it.

Iron Shield Systems has added SPEXTER to its uncrewed ground line. SPEXTER is a small, tough tracked vehicle built to move ahead of the force at walking pace and prove a route before anything more valuable follows it. Where the RAVLYK ground robotic complex carries the load, SPEXTER carries the risk.

The vehicle is simple and low cost on purpose. Its job is to drive the route first, so the ground is proved by a vehicle instead of a person, and if something on the route goes wrong you replace a machine, not a soldier. It clears the way for RAVLYK or for troops on foot.

SPEXTER is built by Iron Shield, on Iron Shield IP. It carries the same radio and control link as RAVLYK, so the two vehicles run in one operator software environment at the same signal range, and a crew trained on one can drive the other.

Specification

• Dimensions 1,250 × 800 × 410 mm, on a 180 mm track
• Self weight 350 kg, load 100 kg
• Speed 3 km/h, gradient up to 45°
• Battery 100 Ah at 48 V, drive 1.8 kW × 2
• PWM / CAN remote control up to 500 m
• Built-in GPS / GNSS as standard

Iron Shield Systems options for SPEXTER include a blade configuration for route clearing, Starlink connectivity, follow-me, automatic path following on pre-determined GNSS waypoints, and an extended-range controller.

The current build is in test and already climbs a stone stair at walking pace, a repeatable stand-in for broken ground. Figures are for the current build and vary with configuration.

SPEXTER joins the INT-3 and INT-5 interceptors as a wholly owned Iron Shield product line, alongside the RAVLYK and Stealth FPV families held through joint ventures. Full details are on the Ground / UGV page, and briefings are available on request through the contact page.