Czech Firm Unveils 'Hornet' – Fully Autonomous Battlefield Robot Redefining Frontline Logistics

At the IDET 2025 defense expo held in Brno, Czech Republic, local defense company LPP Holding took center stage with the introduction of a game-changing innovation in military robotics: the “Hornet.” This fully autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to revolutionize battlefield logistics by delivering supplies, evacuating casualties, and performing a host of other critical front-line missions—all without human intervention.

The Hornet is a compact yet robust machine, stretching just over nine feet in length and capable of carrying a payload of up to 771 pounds. It operates using an electro-hybrid propulsion system, which allows it to move quietly and efficiently across rough and unpredictable terrain. But it’s not just its mechanical design that sets the Hornet apart—it's the intelligence within.

Unlike many robotic platforms that rely heavily on GPS, the Hornet is engineered to function independently of satellite navigation. This makes it particularly suited for operations in contested or jammed electromagnetic environments, where traditional GPS signals may be unavailable or deliberately disrupted. Its advanced visual navigation system, adapted from LPP’s earlier MTS aerial platform, allows the vehicle to "see" and understand its surroundings, navigate complex terrains, and make decisions in real time.

LPP's engineers first tested this navigation technology on their TAROS UGV before tailoring it specifically for the Hornet's logistics role. The result is a vehicle that can intelligently avoid obstacles, choose the best routes, and complete missions even in completely unfamiliar environments. Among its various operational modes are “Follow-me,” where it can trail soldiers automatically, and “Return to base,” allowing it to withdraw without manual control.

Versatility is another hallmark of the Hornet. It is built with modularity in mind, meaning it can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of tasks beyond logistics. These include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threat response, and emergency medical evacuation.

To ensure survivability and security on the battlefield, the Hornet also comes equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station and an impressive suite of sensors. Notably, it integrates LPP’s INTERCEPTOR system—a cutting-edge defensive counter-drone technology that uses onboard quadcopters to detect, intercept, and neutralize aerial threats before they can pose a danger to troops or equipment.

With the Hornet, LPP Holding has taken a bold step forward in redefining how autonomous systems can support and protect soldiers in combat zones. By combining powerful AI navigation, modular functionality, and integrated defense systems, this UGV offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous warfare—one where machines can enhance human capability while reducing the risks faced on the front lines.