Russia develops near silent robotic armored vehicle

A hybrid-powered silent armored personnel carrier that could eventually be operated by remote has been developed, Russia's Military-Industrial Co. said Tuesday. Company spokesman Sergei Suvorov said the Krymsk vehicle has a hybrid engine and can move almost in almost complete silence, powered by a battery-driven electric motor when its diesel engine is not operating, RIA Novosti reported. Currently the carrier can move in silent mode over short distances, but "that distance can be increased dozens of times" as new types of battery are developed, he said. Suvorov said the Krymsk vehicle is essentially a remotely controlled platform that could be developed into a "robotized platform," RIA Novosti said. The vehicle also could be equipped with weapon systems, he said, "based on new physical principles, for example, laser or electromagnetic weapons."