SOPORTE DE FUEGO

Fire support · Fire and manoeuvre protection

Direct fire and maneuver protection alongside manned and robotic formations: the effector occupies the exposed position, engages close-range air and ground threats, and crews stay under cover.

01.Operational problem

Maneuver formations — sections, platoons, manned or robotic groupings — need immediate organic direct fire and, at the same time, protection against the threats hunting them in contested ground. The supporting vehicle is today the priority target for drones, loitering munitions and anti-tank weapons: whoever fires or escorts is the first to take a hit. The classic dilemma — more protection means more weight, more cost, and the same crew exposed — is resolved by taking the crew out of the vehicle occupying the most exposed position.

RHINOS COMBAT is the heavy fire-support platform: it marches with the formation, occupies exposed positions, and delivers kinetic effects against close-range threats — FPVs, mini-UAS and low-altitude threats on one side; light targets, positions and anti-tank teams on the other — with HORN30 in 30×113 mm as the baseline and the ability to integrate short-range missile effectors depending on the mission. Its value is putting effectors where you don't want to put a crew. Where ARIES provides light C-UAS support and protection for a squad, tactical cell or small convoy, RHINOS is the protected fire support for a section, platoon or maneuver grouping. Weapons employment always crosses the human authorization chain.

02.Systems, components, technology and intelligence involved:

  • RHINOS COMBAT

    Unmanned heavy fire-support platform: HORN30 direct fire, C-UAS protection and the ability to integrate short-range missile effectors, in the most exposed positions.

  • ARIES C-UAS

    A complementary light layer: close C-UAS support and protection for a squad, tactical cell, small convoy or forward node.

  • TAURUS RECON

    Advanced reconnaissance and designation: it detects, classifies and distributes the tactical picture that feeds the task group's fires.

  • CHRONOS

    Miriad Engineering's ISR mast and target designator; fire control is integrated into HORN30.

  • HORN30

    Miriad Engineering's 30×113 mm remote weapon station with integrated fire control: tracking, ballistic computation and aiming.

  • C2

    MUM-T integration with the supported force: designation, authorisation and coordination of the joint manoeuvre.

03.Operational architecture

  1. DETECT

    Designation from the manoeuvre

    Targets designated by the supported formation, complemented by its own acquisition and by the area picture from TAURUS XL SENTRY and Advanced Reconnaissance.

  2. Decide

    The formation commander authorises

    CHRONOS designates close-range air and ground threats and the fire control integrated in HORN30 resolves tracking and ballistics; the supported command authorizes, with the operator fighting under cover.

  3. Act

    The effector in the exposed position

    RHINOS COMBAT occupies the most exposed positions and delivers HORN30 in 30×113 mm plus short-range missile capability against close-range air and ground threats.

How they relate · systems and technologies in the mission flow

  1. Formation + sensors

    The supported force designates; AIR DEFENCE & C-UAS and Advanced Reconnaissance complete the picture.

    • SAIS 360°
    • Consola C2
  2. Designate and resolve the fire

    CHRONOS designates; the fire control integrated in HORN30 resolves; the supported command authorises.

    • CHRONOS
    • HORN30
  3. RHINOS COMBAT

    It takes the exposed position and delivers the effect: HORN30 and short-range missiles.

    • HORN30
    • AT missile capability

C2 · Command and control Mission intelligence on board every platform · common console at the command post · the entire mission flow travels over a single command and control layer

Intelligence

04.Program status

Program in development

Built on the HORN30 remote weapon station, whose public unveiling is planned for the end of the year, with the ability to integrate short-range missile effectors.

In Robotic Assault, HIPPOS LEADER leads the contact and RHINOS COMBAT provides the fire and counter-drone cover that keeps SAPPER, MULE and FALCON-D from being picked off by FPVs. With manned formations, it's a heavy MUM-T escort: it advances where you don't want to put a crew and protects tanks, IFVs and convoys. It complements Air Surveillance and Counter-Drone's area defense with a mobile bubble.