Renault unveils Forefront Concept, an unmanned military electric vehicle
French carmaker Renault has presented the Forefront Concept, an unmanned all-wheel-drive electric vehicle designed mainly for military use in high-risk areas. The French armed forces will begin field trials in the coming weeks.
French carmaker Renault has developed the Forefront Concept, a modular unmanned electric vehicle intended primarily for military needs and operations in high-risk zones. The company built it together with the defence firm John Cockerill. In the coming weeks, the French armed forces will start intensive trials of the concept in real conditions at test ranges, after which Renault can make the necessary improvements.
Design approach
To cut costs and speed up possible production, the vehicle is based on components already proven in series car manufacturing. John Cockerill is responsible for the remote control and autonomous driving systems. The cabless off-road vehicle can be operated remotely by a human or travel on its own along dangerous or hard-to-reach routes.
Technical details
The Forefront Concept has two electric motors and four-wheel steering, which provides good manoeuvrability on difficult terrain and completely silent movement. The manufacturer estimates a range of about 400 kilometres on a full charge, and the range can be extended with an additional generator. The company has not yet disclosed the battery capacity.
The platform's payload is one tonne, so it can be adapted to various tasks: logistics deliveries, installing air-defence and counter-drone equipment, fire support, or evacuating the wounded from dangerous locations.
Possible civilian use
Unmanned technology significantly reduces the risk to soldiers' lives in such missions. Renault says the vehicle could also be useful in the civilian sector, for example for access to hazardous industrial areas.
