UK transforms dying military truck into mighty robot tank to blast enemy mines

The UK recently deployed a robot dog at a nuclear site to reactivate a dormant crane for handling radioactive waste.

Remote mine clearance

The British Army is now testing the autonomous mine-clearing system, developed in collaboration with Dstl and Pearson Engineering Ltd, a UK-based firm.

Designed to enhance battlefield safety, WEEVIL can remotely convert compatible armored vehicles into robotic mine-clearers, significantly reducing the risk to frontline troops.

According to Dstl, unlike current systems such as the TROJAN Armoured Vehicle—which requires a three-person crew to operate within hazardous zones—WEEVIL allows a single operator to control the vehicle from several miles away.

The prototype system is currently integrated with the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle and is equipped with a full-width mine plow, remote control technology, and high-definition vehicle-mounted cameras. Its adaptable design means it could be fitted to various other vehicle platforms.

The ongoing trials aim to refine the system’s performance and provide critical insights for advancing future mine-clearing operations. According to Dstl, with the rising use of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in modern conflicts like the war in Ukraine, WEEVIL represents a timely and vital step forward in battlefield safety and mobility.

“This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away,” said Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, in a statement.

Autonomous safety solutions

As part of its Plan for Change, the UK government is boosting defense’s role in driving economic growth by increasing investment in innovative technologies. From 2025-26, at least 10 percent of the MOD’s equipment procurement budget will go toward novel capabilities, including dual-use tech, autonomous systems, and AI-enabled tools.

A key example is the WEEVIL prototype recently tested on a surrogate minefield in Newcastle. The system is now being handed over to the British Army for further development, supporting efforts to modernize existing assets and prepare for future operational challenges.

In non-defense roles, a collaboration between Oxford Dynamics, Createc, Autonomous Devices, and the University of Bristol, in March 2025, secured over £2 million in government funding to develop autonomous technologies for high-risk environments.

The project includes a robot fleet designed to remove humans from danger while processing complex data in real-time. Strider is equipped with infrared, radar, and lidar and can retrieve contaminated objects, seal them in containers, and operate beyond the operator’s line of sight. It is expected to support tasks like cleanup after Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents, including events similar to the 2018 Salisbury Novichok attack.

Recently, the UK deployed Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot, at the Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland to safely reactivate a dormant crane for handling radioactive waste, marking a key milestone in ongoing efforts to manage and remove nuclear materials.