Zippermast “in combat”

Testing under real conditions in the experimental series "Land"

"A heavy downpour has just swept across the cold, autumnal heath. Gusty winds sweep across the plain. It is questionable whether the use of drones will be possible under these conditions. In a narrow passage between two woods, designed to channel the attacking enemy, the engineers have laid a minefield. A weapon system with two anti-tank weapons lurks on a remote-controlled mast in the damp undergrowth at the edge of the woods. Another Zippermast carries a reconnaissance sensor, monitoring the area from a safe distance, supported by reconnaissance drones in the air. Minutes later, enemy combat vehicles detect the minefield. Before the enemy can react, the guided missiles on the Zippermast have engaged the spearhead, forcing the enemy to deploy. This created the conditions for further combat using loitering munitions systems, so-called kamikaze drones, and ground-based systems. Zippi has fulfilled its mission."

For the third time, the German Army Concepts and Capabilities Development Centre gave industry the opportunity to test its systems, technology, and applications under conditions as close to operational conditions as possible at the training area in Munster, Lower Saxony.

Drones, autonomous tracked and wheeled vehicles, optical and electronic reconnaissance systems, guided missiles, and software solutions were deployed in the most realistic military scenarios possible. In these test scenarios, the products and applications had to demonstrate their capabilities and performance. Strengths and weaknesses became clearly apparent, providing important insights for modifications, adjustments, and improvements.

This was our third time participating, and we contributed a mast system with the aforementioned detachable weapon system, as well as another system with high-tech reconnaissance camera technology, using a 6x6 ATV as the carrier vehicle. Together, all components formed a "Sensor to Shooter Loop" that can be deployed autonomously, integrated, or expanded as needed. For the first time, our reconnaissance and combat equipment was connected via a fiber optic cable several kilometers long to avoid a radio signature that the enemy could detect or jam.

In addition to practical field trials, another focus of this year's event was integration into a battle management system, i.e., digital integration and networking with other systems. We also mastered this task in excellent cooperation with our partners of Dynamit Nobel Defence.