Keeps moving even after losing both tracks: inside the Volcan UGV

Ukrainian company has unveiled the new tracked unmanned ground vehicle Volcan, designed to carry out logistics and specialised missions in challenging conditions. The vehicle features high survivability owing to its chassis design and is equipped with an enhanced communications suite.

As Defender Media learned from the manufacturer, the key design feature of the Volcan is the use of a dedicated motor for each of its four tracks. This configuration provides high reliability: the vehicle can continue moving even if two tracks are damaged or lost, provided they are located on opposite sides.

The platform has a stated top speed of at least 15 km/h, while its operational range on compacted ground reaches at least 100 km. The UGV chassis has no spring suspension. In future variants, the Volcan is intended for use with combat modules that require a stable platform.

In cooperation with the military, the manufacturer is developing a lower-profile version of the Volcan while maintaining the same ground clearance for high cross-country mobility. In addition, the UGV can remain in standby mode for extended periods.

For remote control and video transmission, the Volcan uses a combined communications system supporting Starlink, LTE, and ELRS. The operator controls the vehicle using a remote controller and the standard video surveillance suite.

In addition to the platform itself and the communications equipment, the standard delivery package includes four battery chargers, a spare parts and tools kit, a loading ramp, a tow hitch, and a twin-axle covered cargo trailer to expand the vehicle’s logistics capabilities.