The French Company ARQUUS, formerly Renault Truck Defense has developed a new autonomous version of its Dagger 4x4 armored vehicle that was presented during the French Defense Industry (MEDEF) Summer Seminar.

PVP Dagger 4x4 light proteced vehicle at Eurosatory defense exhibition in France, June 2018. (Picture source Army Recognition)

With this new product, ARQUUS will demonstrate their capabilities to design and develop new technologies and innovations of military products according to the new needs of military and security forces.

The Dagger is the commercial name of the PVP (In French Petit Véhicule Protégé - Light Protected Vehicle) which is in service with the French army since a few years. The Dagger was developed to offer a new light tactical protected vehicle for the French armed forces. It has a crew a four including driver and commander. The PVP offers a protection for the crew STANAG 4569 level 2 and mine floor protection.

Many international companies have developed autonomous combat vehicles including the U.S. army using all-terrain vehicle and wheeled armored vehicles. The use of that types of vehicles increases options for commanders and enhances soldier and unit effectiveness during high-risk operations such as breaching, obscuration, sustainment and reconnaissance, and security against an evolving enemy in complex environments.

Autonomous vehicle are fitted with sensors and control systems that can enable autonomous functions on military tactical vehicles. The data from different sensors are fused and fed to a path planner that takes into account the vehicle dynamics and generates the heading and speed commands for the vehicle control system.

The Dagger can be operated thanks to the use of a remote control that can be operated by one soldier offering the possibility to drive the vehicle without any assistance from inside. Autonomous vehicles can be deployed in all-terrain conditions for day and night operations.

Remote control of ARQUUS Dagger 4x4 armored vehicle (Picture source ARQUUS)