Sharp Claw 1 UGV NORINCO

Unmanned Ground Vehicle on tracked chassis - China

The Sharp Claw 1 is an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed and designed by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation). Sharp Claw I is one of two vehicles in the Sharp Claw family. Sharp Claw I is a small, tracked scout robot designed to be carried in the cargo bay of the larger Sharp Claw 2 and can be deployed as required. The UGV was launched in November 2014 at the 11th International (Zhuhai) Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. According to a video report published in April 2020, the PLA’s (Chinese Army) Eastern Theatre Command confirmed that the tracked, combat, and reconnaissance UGV was now in service with the Chinese military. Citing a report from the "Daily Mail" published on December 29, 2021, China has sent 88 Sharp Claw 1 UGV to Tibet, which borders India high in the Himalayas, of which 38 were deployed to the border region. The Sharp Claw 1 has been designed to be used by infantry units to conduct reconnaissance and combat missions.

Sharp Claw 1 UGV variants:

- No variants at this time

Design

The Sharp Claw 1 UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) is based on a tracked chassis offering a high level of mobility in all-terrain conditions. It moves thanks to its rubber tracks in forward or backward and in all-terrain conditions. The vehicle is highly maneuverable and flexible because of its mini size and track, and can cross small ditches, slight slopes, and even climb stairs. It has a length of 70 cm, a height of  60 cm, and a weight of 120 kg. It can be used to detect and attack targets seeking cover in buildings, caves, or tunnels. It can carry out autonomous safe driving, multi-channel communication, long-distance remote-controlled firing, and reconnaissance by various means.

The Sharp Claw 1 UGV is fitted with electro-optic systems and day/night cameras to offer autonomous mode operations.

Mobility

The Sharp Claw 1 UGV is motorized with an electric motor that allows the vehicle to move silently on one battery charge over miles of extreme terrain.  It can run at a maximum road speed of 9 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 6 km. It can climb a gradient of 60%.

Payload Equipment

The Sharp Claw 1 UGV can be armed with a 7.62mm light machine gun coupled with cameras and electro-optic equipment. The machine gun has a maximum firing range of 500 m. It is fitted with an optic-electronic integrated detector, which can horizontally rotate in all directions and pitch in a certain range. The detector has two lenses, one to detect in the daytime and the other installed with infrared night vision for night operation. So it means this detector can probe and identify targets within a one-kilometer range in all weather, day and night. The system has a detection range of around 1 km and can be operated for two hours.

The Sharp Claw 1 UGV is armed with one 7.62mm caliber machine gun

Combat use

The Sharp Claw 1 UGV is remotely controlled by an operator equipped with a lightweight, wearable control unit. Agile and combat-ready, Sharp Claw 1 is a technological breakthrough, taking its place on the frontline to keep warfighters at a safe distance from enemy fire while effectively executing their security missions. It has onboard multi-channel communication systems and can be controlled by a radio communication system at a maximum range of 800 m and 100 m with cable.