Kratos Defense & Security Solutions recently converted a Russian T-72 tank to operate as an unmanned target for U.S. Army gunners.
In response to an Army requirement for a tank target, Kratos’ micro systems division equipped the T-72 so it can be controlled by the Army Ground Aerial Target Control System (AGATCS), a vehicle- and datalink-agnostic control system that works with a variety of Army air, ground, and sea surface target vehicles.
“Converting the T-72 presented a unique set of challenges not normally encountered with conventional vehicles,” Kratos said in a statement.
The tank’s dual tiller steering system required high levels of force and displacement. The operating environment was harsh as well, with high levels of vibration, temperature, and dust. Working together as an integrated team, personnel from Kratos/Micro Systems and the Army’s Targets Management Office addressed and resolved these issues, the company said.
“Micro Systems is proud to support the U.S. Army’s Targets Management Office with new capabilities to provide highly threat representative target vehicles to support their efforts to develop capabilities to keep our homeland and warriors safe,” Kevin Ferguson, Sr. VP of Kratos Micro Systems, said in a statement.