FEINDEF 2021: SASCorp unveils Tellus – or Valkyrie – 6x6 amphibious UGV.

Spanish company SASCorp takes a leap forward with the manufacture of robotic systems, such as Tellus/Valkyrie, a modular, high-performance multipurpose autonomous or remotely controlled amphibious vehicle presented at FEINDEF 2021.

SASCorp Tellus/Valkyrie amphibious UGV (Picture source: Army Recognition)

As explained by Javier de Juan Gutiérrez, SASCorp Engineering Manager, for Army Recognition's Defense Web TV, the prototype presented at FEINDEF 2021 is the result of a one-year work on a heavy amphibious UGV project whose design provides exceptional off-road capabilities. This UGV seems to appear in two different names in SASCorp designation system: Tellus on their website and on the company's booth at FEINDEF 2021, but also Valkyrie in the presentation made by Javier de Juan Gutiérrez. It is to become the heavy UGV inducted in the Spanish armed forces, either in ground-only or amphibious version, the second one having a lower payload. The vehicle is 1.7 meters high, 5 meters long, and 2.5 meters wide. The six wheels are equipped with 13x20 tires.

Propulsion is based on a Jaguar turbodiesel engine providing 350 hp, which is used to charge the Lithium-Ion battery pack powering the six wheels, Javier de Juan Gutiérrez, SASCorp Engineering Manager, explained to Army Recognition. But SASCorps is looking to new solutions to fit the UGV with lighter batteries. The hybrid propulsion system allows movement for 8-10 hours, while the range in electric-only propulsion is limited to 3 km. The UGV can reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h.

As Javier de Juan Gutiérrez claims, a "real" amphibious vehicle must be fitted with hydrojets to enable it to move at a useful speed on water, not only rely on its wheels, a too slow solution. So, thanks to its two Castoldi waterjets, the Valkyrie can reach 6 knots on water, where it can operate at 5.5 ton GVW, including 1.8 tons of payload. On hard ground, the GVW can reach 7.5 tons, including a 4.3-ton payload.

Add-on armor can bring protection up to STANAG 4569 Level 4. The variety of armament that can be fitted on the UGV ranges from a 7.62mm machine up to a 30mm automatic gun, optionally in an RWCS.

SASCorp claims to be one of the European companies with the highest qualification and experience in scientific simulation and validation of solutions for complete platforms in high energy events, such as anti-tank mine, IED and RPG. The company has more than 15 years of experience in projects that involve the development and optimization of armored vehicles, weapon systems, artillery, interior, and exterior ballistics and especially, high energy events and high-speed mechanics. These capabilities have been applied in the design of a large number of platforms and weapon systems in service in the Spanish and other international armed forces. The development and validation of innovative solutions that improve the performance of land systems, increase their safety, improve their life cycle and reduce development time are also some of the main activities of the Company.

SASCorp provides its capabilities for the design and development of Defense systems, validation of complete systems with high accuracy and detail, scientific-technical advice and R&D to the Spanish Ministry of Defense and to some of the main manufacturers in the sector, participating in the main programs of the Spanish Army.