John Cockerill and Renault have unveiled Forefront Concept, an approach in the field of unmanned ground vehicles.
Forefront Concept is a remotely operated ground platform featuring four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and two electric motors. It is designed to deliver high mobility, outstanding manoeuvrability and leading off-road capabilities across all types of terrain.
“Forefront Concept, developed alongside John Cockerill, demonstrates the contribution that Renault Group’s industrial and technological expertise can make to a strategic sector such as unmanned ground vehicles with multiple applications expected across both civilian and military sectors in the years to come. This innovative project brings together two complementary areas of expertise: Renault Group’s in the rapid, large-scale and cost-effective development and production of high-performance, reliable technological products and John Cockerill’s in the defence industry," Renault, CEO, François Provost, said.
Remotely operated and silent, the concept targets a range of approximately 400 kilometres, extendable through a range extender, enabling remote operations in demanding environments.
With a target payload of up to one tonne, it is designed to address a wide variety of military uses—including logistics support, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), anti-drone operations, fire support and evacuation—but also civilian applications, particularly civil protection operations, logistics and interventions in constrained or hazardous working environments.
"Forefront Concept illustrates the emergence of a new generation of ground-based robotic systems, born out of the convergence of two major areas of industrial expertise. Thanks to a modular, open and scalable robotic architecture, this platform combines mobility, autonomy and tactical communications to enhance operational capabilities whilst reducing soldiers’ exposure to danger. With Forefront concept, John Cockerill is applying its expertise in robotics, military applications and autonomous systems to deliver a robust, high-performance solution that can be rapidly scaled up for industrial production," John Cockerill, CEO, Jean-Luc Maurange, said.
Renault designed the mobile platform and contributed its experience in developing modular architectures, with a focus on reusing proven automotive components.
As part of this project, John Cockerill has developed modular, scalable remote operation and autonomy solutions to ultimately enable the platform to operate fully autonomously while ensuring system safety and security, according to the companies.
Developed with input from the French armed forces, Forefront Concept will take part in several exercises and trials in the coming weeks to further refine the concept based on their operational feedback, while also contributing to their thinking on the rapidly evolving nature of operational environments and emerging needs for robotic capabilities.