Moreover, the new tank model is equipped with a robotic reconnaissance system, which deploys a quad-rotor drone to monitor the battlefield environment and situation, and the enemies' movements. Compared with the crew's hand-held control device, the station has stronger communication and data-processing capabilities, enabling crew members to operate their tank from a farther distance, he noted.Īccording to open information, the VT-5U has become the world's first combat tank that can be remotely operated, Cheng said. Soldiers can also remotely control the tank to move into places under heavy enemy fire to rescue their injured comrades, Cheng said.Įngineers have also designed a remote-control station that can be mounted on an armored vehicle.

The design is intended to better protect the crew's safety,' he explained. 'In highly risky combat circumstances like a street battle with heavily armed enemies or operations in minefields or mountainous regions with the risk of enemy ambush, crew members can evacuate the vehicle to a comparatively safer place and then use the device to manipulate their tank to continue fighting. WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILYĬhina has designed and built what is believed to be the world's first combat tank that can be remotely controlled, said a spokesman for State-owned China North Industries Group Corp.Ĭheng Ziheng said on Thursday in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, that each crew of the VT-5U main battle tank will be given a remote-control device. A VT-5U main battle tank displayed at the Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, on Friday.

Chinese main battle tank