The increasing adoption of unmanned platforms in sectors such as defense, agriculture, and logistics highlights critical challenges, including traversal capability and collision resistance in unstructured terrain. This study investigates the crashworthiness of the developed TAERO UGV using finite element method (FEM) analysis. The structural components critical to collision energy absorption were identified and analyzed. Descriptions of the LS-DYNA simulation model, material properties, and boundary conditions are provided. The primary objective was to numerically assess the bumper performance during impact, considering the operational speeds and crumple zone of the vehicle. An optimized numerical model was introduced to efficiently simulate vehicle collisions, focusing on key structural elements. Various scenarios were simulated to examine deformation, stress distribution, and bumper behaviour. Presented numerical analysis indicates that impacts with typical obstacles, like tree trunks in unstructured terrain, cause minimal damage, not affecting the operational vehicle capability. Minor bumper damage, such as dents, vary and are more noticeable at higher speeds, while almost imperceptible up to 25 km/h. Stress distribution highlights the role of side components in energy absorption and structural deformation. The results confirm the structural integrity of the vehicle and provide valuable data on its operation performance in complex environments during specialized missions.

This study addresses the critical need for lightweight and effective ballistic protection in military applications, focusing on layered composite systems designed to meet NATO STANAG 4569 Level I standard. The layered ballistic protection combines Hardox 450 wear-resistant steel with Twaron CT 747 para-aramid fabric and Endumax Shield XF33 Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Three configurations of ballistic protection were evaluated, each differing in steel thickness and areal weight. Configurations 1 and 2, with 6-mm and 4-mm Hardox 450 steel, and areal weights of 84.3 kg/m ² and 68.6 kg/m ² , respectively, successfully resisted 7.62-mm NATO FMJ M80 projectile impacts while maintaining structural integrity. Configuration 3, comprising 2-mm Hardox 450 steel (52.9 kg/m ² ), was not penetrated by the projectile but detached from the frame due to localized impact near the edge. Microscopic analysis identified delamination and cracking of the reinforcing fibers and matrix as dominant failure mechanisms. Combining experimental testing with numerical simulations confirms that these layered protection systems offer high ballistic resistance while maintaining low weight, offering significant advancements in the design of military vehicle protection systems.

Nowadays military vehicles play an integral role in the transportation and protection of personnel and equipment ensuring safe and effective operations. The spectrum of threats ranges from high-velocity projectiles to the dangers posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). To evaluate the properties of individual materials, a stand for assessing the performance of vehicle armor plates under diverse condition was developed at the Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology (WITPIS). The test platform was designed to carry out multi-variant tests involving blast loading scenarios that impact the combat vehicle's chassis. The prepared testing procedure was proven through a series of tests using the Armox 500 plate. The achieved parameters were validated using a numerical model to confirm the acquired measurements.

Implementing unmanned solutions in combat operations transforms battlefield dynamics by minimizing human risks. This study focuses on improving the ballistic protection of key elements in unmanned vehicles to enhance their mobility in hazardous areas. Advancements in unmanned ground vehicle technologies are described. The benefits of developing optionally unmanned vehicles for special purposes are indicated. The high-mobility manned-unmanned TAERO vehicle is introduced, and its structure and parameters are described. Operational limitations arising from potential threats during military missions are identified. Critical components requiring ballistic protection are selected, and the necessary protection levels are defined. Available materials for additional ballistic protection are described in relation to the NATO STANAG 4569 standard, which applies to logistic and light armored vehicles. Numerical analysis was conducted to evaluate the protection of key vehicle components using the lightest composite armors. This study is crucial for validating the effectiveness of the selected composite material and ensuring that its implementation meets the required standards for providing the desired level of ballistic protection for unmanned vehicles. The results confirm that the proposed solution improves the TAERO mobility in dangerous zones.