Ukrainian defense engineers have upgraded the Plastun ground robotic platform, doubling its maximum carrying capacity and significantly extending its operational range. Developed by Trident Tech and deployed with Ukrainian forces since 2023, the 35 kg platform can now transport loads up to 100 kg, compared to its previous 50 kg limit.
According to UNITED24 Media, engineers from PAWELL Battery integrated solid-state battery cells to replace the platform’s original lithium-ion power units. This update increased specific battery capacity by roughly 60 percent, extending the platform’s range fourfold from 25 km to 100 km. Built on a full 4×4 drive chassis with four 350 W gear motors and custom tubeless polyurethane tires, the system negotiates 45-degree inclines across snow, sand, mud, and treelines.
The platform supports multiple tactical configurations, including remote minelaying with TM-62/72 mines, digital communications modules, relay gear, and a dual FPV drone launch setup. Provisions exist for mobile electronic warfare units, Starlink terminals, 360-degree thermal cameras, and fiber-optic video links. The technical overhaul aligns with expanding front-line ground robot operations, as demonstrated by the Third Army Corps, which logged over 18,000 uncrewed ground vehicle missions on the Lyman–Borova sector during its first year, evacuating over 600 casualties and hauling 4,500 tons of supplies under dense drone threat environments.
