The problem that small unmanned ground vehicles have when integrating heavy weapons is that missile recoil can damage suspension systems, electronics or vehicle structure. This limit could be exceeded by the robotic platform Zieseldeveloped by the German Diehl Defenseand the guided missile SPIKE LRproduced by the Israeli RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems in collaboration with the also German EuroSpike GmbH. The robot is closer to deployment after recently passing a series of live-fire tests launching anti-tank missiles.
The exercise focused less on the accuracy of the missile and more to see if the robotic vehicle could withstand the physical punishment generated by repeated launches. According to Diehl Defense, the Ziesel completed the shooting sequence no major mechanical problems.
The project fits into a growing trend in Europe and the NATOwhich consists of using robotic vehicles for dangerous tasks on the front, reducing the direct exposure of soldiers.
The idea is that unmanned systems can attack enemy armor from safer positions, a strategy driven by the experience of war in Ukrainein which drones and remotely operated equipment play a key role.
The Ziesel platform had already been tested at least since the beginning of 2025 as a support vehicle for transport and casualty evacuation missions. Later, Diehl Defense adapted the machine for combat operations by integrating missile launch systems and autonomous control technologies. The current version of the Ziesel measures 1.6 meters long by 1.3 meters wide, weighs 380 kilos empty and can transport more than 500 kilos of payload.
During testing, the robotic vehicle launched SPIKE LR missiles while engineers monitored structural stress on the chassis and systems. The company claims that the platform maintained stability and mobility during all exercises.
This result is important because Compact tracked vehicles have strict limits on useful weight and shock absorption. Even a successful missile launch can destabilize smaller robotic systems if engineers don’t distribute force correctly.
The SPIKE LR missile provides the vehicle long range anti-armor capability. The weapon continues to be widely used by NATO members and allied military forces for its flexibility against tanks, fortified positions and moving targets.
Operators can attack threats located several kilometers away using electro-optical guidance. The missile can operate in either ‘fire and forget’ as in others that allow the operator to observe the flight and update the target after launch.
Diehl Defense equipped the latest version of the Ziesel with Updated hardware and improved software compared to previous prototypes. The vehicle also uses the autonomy system PLATO from the company, which enables autonomous navigation and remote operations on the battlefield.
The company notes that several armed forces, including those of Germany and Ukraine, are already evaluating the robotic vehicle for different operational missions. Diehl Defense and its partners now plan to conduct further demonstrations to military officials as development of the robotic platform continues.