New Testudo UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle designed for reconnaissance missions at AAD 2014 1809145.

The Testudo UGV is being launched as part of an exclusive military marketing agreement between DCD Protected Mobility – a leader in the design, development and manufacture of special purpose tactical wheeled vehicles, and CMTI Design and Consulting Engineers, which specialises in multi-disciplinary services packaged to meet individual project requirements.

DCD Protected Mobility general manager Andrew Mears points out that the Testudo is designed for the military, and tested in the hard rock mines of South Africa. “Its unparalleled ruggedness and versatility ensures that it is capable of negating the harshest environments,” he explains.

CMTI CEO Danie Burger adds that the Testudo can be equipped with a variety of work tools that can be customised to clients’ needs with minimal effort. He states: “Available in remote-controlled or autonomous options, the Testudo boasts exceptional cross-country capability, thanks to its four industrial-style excavator tracks.”

“These tracks, which are individually driven for exceptional flexibility in breaching obstacles as high as 400 mm, are driven by high torque motors to ensure a load carrying capacity of 150 kg and a top speed of more than 6 km/h. What’s more, the Testudo is powered by 60 Ah LiFeMgPO4 batteries, which can last for up to six hours on one single charge,” Mears continues.

The Testudo weighs 260 kg, is 410 mm in height and features a track width of 172 mm. Additional benefits of this machine include; ISO certified brakes, as well as IP65 sealing certification on all electrical components to ensure superior resistance to dust and liquids.

Mears adds that the Testudo is designed according to a ‘plug-and-play’ philosophy. “All four flippers can be removed within minutes and replaced with a complete service exchange. In order to ensure a greater degree of simplicity, off-the-shelf components are available to a large extent,” he concludes.