Ukrainian forces, making use of widely available commercial components for unmanned platforms, showed a Steam Deck-controlled UGV armed with assault rifles.
According to United24’s report, Ukrainian personnel came up with a customised UGV for fire support using a pair of AK-pattern assault rifles and, more interestingly control system connected to a Steam Deck.
The two AK-pattern rifles are seen to be equipped with custom drum magazines, which can hold up to 100 rounds. In comparison to a belt-fed machine gun that is only limited by the carrier in terms of capacity, 100 rounds per rifle provides little time for shooting. While the weapon choice is questionable, the rather simple working principle is open for other options like the aforementioned machine guns or even more powerful weaponry like rocket launchers.
Steam Deck is a tablet-sized gaming console with a two-joystick layout, fit to control both the weapon and movement for the UGV. Due to its operating system being based on Linux, it is more than likely that the software on the Steam Deck was heavily customised.
For the connection, the UGV is seen with a pair of antennas, which are understood to be for wireless connection with the Steam Deck. While this allows a fast connection, the range is questionable.
However, the development of the UGV, despite its shortcomings, is a sign that commercial components will not be limited to the production of field-level UAVs but also other unmanned platforms. It is known that small UGVs are being used to deliver supplies or lay mines remotely, and the use of readily available components is a factor to facilitate production even under field conditions. Another important example of field-level manufacturing in the ongoing war is the use of 3D printers to produce structural components for UAVs. Decentralised production, despite the obvious downsides in quality standards, is a major advantage due to the fact that almost every major facility can be struck down by long-range missile or UAV strikes.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
