Within the framework of the III Tactical Experimentation Campaign (TEC 3), held at the Álvarez de Sotomayor Base in Viator, national industry showcased its innovations for the future of combat. This event, which saw the participation of 43 companies and two universities, aims to identify the most promising technologies for integration into Defense capabilities.
Among the prominent proposals is that of IDM, an Almería company with 25 years of experience in the agricultural sector. Its specialization in traction and mobility over complex terrains has found direct application in the military field, thanks to its dual-technology center.
IDM's core system is an UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle), an unmanned terrestrial vehicle that operates autonomously or remotely. This vehicle works in conjunction with an aerial drone that provides guidance and situational awareness, charting the path and detecting obstacles using proximity cameras. Communication is established via Starlink satellite links, allowing remote control from virtually any location.
The main model, the Battlematic 400, has undergone intensive testing, completing routes of up to five kilometers round trip. This vehicle can reach speeds of up to 15.2 km/h, with an autonomy of approximately 60 kilometers and a load capacity of up to 400 kilograms. Additionally, the company has presented the Battlematic 1300, a larger version with a load capacity of up to 1,300 kilograms.
“"The Army came looking for us after learning about our Artificial Intelligence and Robotics department, established three years ago."
Ángel Barranco, owner of IDM, explained that the collaboration with Defense arose from the company's Artificial Intelligence and Robotics department. He highlighted the ambitious commitment undertaken and the hard work involved in meeting the Army's operational requirements. Barranco also emphasized the significant technological leap for IDM into unmanned systems and anticipated the potential return of this technology to the agricultural sector.
Commander Amílcar, an analyst of the technological solutions, indicated that these UGVs would integrate into Army units as direct support for maneuvers. The Battlematic's load capacity and rapid deployment, allowing two vehicles to be transported on a single carrier, facilitate their deployment in operational zones. Immediate activation and satellite or radio control operation enhance their flexibility in changing scenarios.
In high-intensity conflict contexts, these systems would operate in the “intermediate risk zone,” reducing personnel exposure in critical missions such as resupply, casualty evacuation, or ammunition and provisions transport. UGVs act as capability multipliers, freeing maneuver units from high-risk tasks and ensuring operability in environments where secure mobility is crucial.
