Russia has unveiled a new anti-drone robot named "Wall-E", whose name follows the eponymous character from the 2008 animated film by The Walt Disney Company.
The Wall-E robot is designed to produce an invisible dome that jams aerial drone attacks and protects troops on the ground. Russian state television explained that it uses electronic warfare blockers to keep away kamikaze drones Ukraine has been utilizing in the conflict.
The robot is fitted with a so-called "fumigator" electronic warfare system that can disrupt the signal between a drone and its operator. The system often renders unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) useless.
Its manufacturer Rebovets said the Wall-E robot is capable of producing a signal-jamming dome with a radius of between 250 meters (820.2 feet) and 300 meters (984.3 feet), within which enemy drones will fall. The company also emphasized the Disney connection by putting the movie's logo on the side of the robot's body.
Footage that accompanied social media posts of the new robot showed Wall-E moving across a grassy area and a Russian soldier explaining what it is and how it works.
"Russian developers of electronic warfare systems demonstrated the first domestic tracked platform with a jamming system installed on it. [The robot] passed all the tests," the Russian Art of War Telegram channel said. The Telegraph could not verify the claims made by Rebovets.
"Russia's use of electronic warfare – such as jammers that can scramble the signals that Ukraine’s drones rely on to operate reliably – has been one of its rare technological advantages. The Kremlin has managed to develop a knack for taking out some of Ukraine's most prized missiles and rockets, including those fired from the US-supplied HIMARS," the outlet said. (Related: Russia's jamming technology reducing accuracy of U.S. weapons in Ukraine to just 10%.)
"Ukrainian soldiers have previously told the Telegraph they are fully aware that they are at a disadvantage when it comes to Russia’s array of electronic warfare systems. [The Russian military has] everything from truck-mounted systems that can block drones at a six-mile radius, to more lightweight devices like the Wall-E or smaller yet that are fitted in soldiers' backpacks."
Even Russian tanks are fitted with anti-drone upgrades
The announcement of the Russian Wall-E anti-drone robot comes amid Moscow's experimentation with so-called turtle tanks, a more rudimentary way of protecting its vehicles from drone attacks. A May 30 piece by Army Recognition elaborated on one example.
According to the article, an image of the Russian T-90M tank with advanced anti-drone measures made the rounds on social media. The upgraded main battle tank (MBT) came with an anti-drone visor and additional armor mounted around the turret and the rear of the hull. These enhancements, the article added, are designed to counter the growing threat of first-person view drones and loitering munitions.
The MBT's anti-drone visor likely disrupts or destroys incoming drone threats. Meanwhile, the additional armor around critical areas enhances the tank's resilience against precision attacks.
The T-90M also comes equipped with the Relikt explosive reactive armor, which provides superior defense against both kinetic and chemical energy projectiles. It can also be equipped with an active projection system that can detect and neutralize incoming anti-tank missiles and projectiles.
But even without these upgrades, the T-90M is a formidable vehicle. Its new 125-millimeter 2A82-1m smoothbore gun offers improved firing accuracy and the capability to launch anti-tank guided missiles. The MBT also boasts an upgraded fire control system and enhanced targeting capabilities, allowing it to engage targets more precisely and effectively.
"Experts suggest that the upgraded T-90M could set a precedent for other nations facing similar threats, potentially influencing global military strategies and defense spending priorities," Army Recognition wrote. "This development underscores Russia's commitment to modernizing its military hardware in response to new battlefield realities. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, innovations such as these will play a crucial role in shaping the future of armored warfare.
Watch this footage of a Russian Lancet drone taking out Western tanks in the city of Avdiivka at the Donetsk People's Republic.
This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Ukraine's experimental DRONE BOATS strike two Russian Navy ships in Crimea.
Ukraine unleashes KAMIKAZE drone boats against Russian ships in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian DRONE SWARMS target four Russian oil refineries in largest drone attack yet.
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