The French army has initiated a new phase of testing in the field of ground-based robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) and is testing the new generation unmanned ground vehicle Hermione on the premises of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidanthe most important military academy in France.
The initiative was officially confirmed by the French army this week.
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The tests are part of the program Pendragonwhich aims to integrate AI-powered combat systems into future military operations. According to the Army, the goal of the first AI-led combat unit is to “anticipate tomorrow’s battles while accelerating decision-making and tactical effectiveness.”
In a statement, the Land Force highlighted that the project is being carried out jointly with the Defense AI agency of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and reflects the aim of preparing the country for future conflicts. The goal is to hand over the first operational robotic unit to the active armed forces by 2027.
Hermione
Hermione was developed in partnership between the Polish company PHU Lechmar and the French company H2X-Defense. It is a modular, wheel-driven unmanned ground platform designed for a wide range of missions. The vehicle has a standard payload of 300 kilograms, although alternative variants can transport loads of up to two tons.
Hermione is designed for use on uneven or difficult terrain, has four-wheel drive and has a top speed of around 24 miles per hour (around 39 km/h). The dimensions are 3.3 meters long, 1.85 meters wide and 1.4 meters high, without mission equipment installed. The version presented at the MSPO trade fair weighed around 700 kilograms and offered a ground clearance of 300 millimeters.
The drive system is based on hydrogen fuel cells, which are integrated with pressure cylinders certified to the TPED standard and feed 8 kW wheel hub electric motors. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a 25 kWh battery and, according to the manufacturer, can operate for up to 20 hours. Refueling with hydrogen takes about three minutes; the cylinders can be replaced in the field, reducing downtime.
Hermione’s selection for evaluation is in line with the French Army’s broader push to introduce AI-powered robotics into maneuver formations. The tests in Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan are intended to assess levels of autonomy, mobility, energy efficiency and integration into command and control networks.
Tactical exercise with integration of the electrically powered robot “Hermione” H2X and an ACT drone for heat detection. April 2024
The Pendragon program also explores the use of AI-based decision support, collaboration between manned and unmanned systems, and the integration of robotic platforms into dismounted and mechanized formations. According to the Army, the data obtained during this experimental phase will be critical in determining the requirements of the first operational robotic unit, scheduled to enter service in 2027.
Source and images: Armée de Terre X @armeedeTerre | Académie militaire de Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan, X @SaintCyrCoet. This content was created with the support of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
