European Defense Consortium Delivers Unmanned Ground System Project 

iMUGS was a 13-party collaboration focused on developing a modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems By DA Staff / 08 Jun 2023

Tactical UAS

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 6 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
European Defense Consortium Delivers Unmanned Ground System Project 
Follow DA

A Milrem Robotics-led consortium of European defense, communication and cybersecurity companies and high technology SMEs has successfully completed and delivered the iMUGS project to the European Commission.

Work on the €32.6 million integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (iMUGS) project began in late 2020. Having completed all the contractual activities and tasks, the consortium reached the operative and technical objectives in May 2023.

iMUGS was a 13-party collaboration focused on developing a modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems. The parties involved are:

  • Milrem Robotics (project coordinator)
  • Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT)
  • Talgen Cybersecurity
  • Safran Electronics & Defense
  • NEXTER Systems
  • Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
  • Diehl Defence
  • Bittium
  • Insta Advance
  • SOL1
  • dotOcean
  • GMV Aerospace and Defence
  • The Royal Military Academy of Belgium


iMUGS created a European-wide architecture for ground and aerial platforms, command, control, and communication equipment, sensors, payloads, and algorithms. The project addressed challenges for interoperability, perception, and decision-making.

Progress was shown in periodic events arranged at all participating Member States consisting of Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain. 

As a result of the project and the technology developed, the European Union will have a pathway for improved ability to respond to emerging military threats and challenges. iMUGS and its envisaged follow-up and peer projects will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of EU military operations through improved coordination of multiple assets and resilient collaboration between manned units and unmanned systems benefiting from digital communications.

The systems developed are designed to improve situational awareness, leading to faster and more accurate decision-making for increased mission success rates and increased overall safety of military operations.

“This project set a great example of cooperation and high-level results which we can expect also from coming European Defense Fund Projects,” said Martin Jõesaar, iMUGS project officer in the Estonian Center for Defense Investments. “On behalf of the participated Member States, I would like to thank the Coordinator, Milrem Robotics, and all the industry partners involved for making this happen.”

“The completion of iMUGS is a huge milestone for all involved parties. It is also a testimony that cooperation within 7 European Member States and between 13 different companies and organizations, in no way a simple task, is possible when working towards a worthy goal – strengthening the defense capabilities of the Union,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “During iMUGS the consortium demonstrated that unmanned systems play a crucial role in military environments and scenarios, paving the way for wider adoption and use of these systems in the near future.”

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

New 3D Radar System Launched with AI-Powered Drone Detection

Terma has introduced SCANTER Sphera, a compact 3D radar system with AI-driven drone detection and full 360° situational awareness

May 23, 2025
Triad RF Systems Certified to Global Quality Standard ISO 9001:2015

Triad RF Systems has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, reinforcing its commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and delivering reliable RF solutions worldwide

May 23, 2025
LiDAR’s Evolving Role in Security & Surveillance

Inertial Labs outlines how LiDAR, including UAV-mounted systems like RESEPI GEN-II, enhances perimeter security through precise mapping, environmental awareness, and real-time monitoring

May 23, 2025
Gyro Stabilization Solutions for Tactical Military Systems

Defense Advancement showcases high-precision gyro stabilization mounts for mission-critical military and defense applications

May 23, 2025
AI-Powered Mission Planning & Target Recognition Software Selected for Long-Range Loitering Munitions

Teledyne FLIR OEM's Prism Supervisor and Prism SKR software is being integrated into Dragoon Technology's UAS under the DIU's Project Artemis

May 22, 2025
GA-ASI Begins Ground Testing of Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft

GA-ASI has begun ground testing of its YFQ-42A uncrewed jet for the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program, targeting a summer 2025 first flight as part of next-generation combat aviation efforts

May 22, 2025

Featured Content

New Hybrid Solution for Long-Term GNSS-Denied Navigation

Advanced Navigation has demonstrated a major breakthrough with a Hybrid Navigation System designed for GPS-denied environments, combining a strategic-grade FOG INS with a laser velocity sensor

May 21, 2025
New Line of Kinetic-Capable Unmanned Surface Vessels Introduced

Red Cat Holdings enters the maritime autonomy market with a new line of combat-proven USVs, expanding its multi-domain unmanned systems for naval operations

May 20, 2025
Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.