ESCRIBANO MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING UNVEILS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY TO SPANISH ARMY’S CHIEF OF STAFF

Escribano M&E showcased to CSA Francisco Javier Varela Salas, a demonstration of two Rheinmetall Mission Master A-UGVs integrating its GUARDIAN 2.0 station and its OTEOS electro-optical system, thus providing the Spanish army with an innovative solution for unmanned platforms.

Control modalities such as follow-me, autonomous navigation, and convoy maneuvers were highlighted. With its sensor suite mounted on a mast, the Mission Master – Surveillance was capable of identifying a threat, with its precise location automatically relayed to the Mission Master equipped with the GUARDIAN 2.0, enabling accurate target acquisition.

Escribano also presented its renowned “Remote Drive” solution (VAMTAC vehicle integrating GUARDIAN 2.0), developed in collaboration with INTA and INSIA, a University Research Institute belonging to the Polytechnic University of Madrid. This initiative was part of a COINCIDENTAL program from the National Armament Directorate (NAD) awarded in 2018, incorporating driving cameras into a Phase II ICV vehicle (contract for the supply, installation, and maintenance of 83 driving cameras awarded in 2020), as well as recent developments in stations and their guided munitions kits for rockets and projectiles.

The technological demonstration concluded by showcasing the advanced capabilities of THE GUARDIAN 30 Station mounted on an 8×8 Piranha Marine vehicle. Escribano M&E holds the design authority and possesses the intellectual property for the Guardian 30, which is among the proposed weapon stations for integration into the Spanish army’s 8×8 program. Representatives from the four companies comprising Tess-Defence SA were present at the demonstration: Sapa Operaciones SL, Indra Sistemas SA, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering S. L, and Santa Bárbara Sistemas SA., along with its CEO, Luis Mayo.

Among the military dignitaries accompanying the delegation led by CSA Francisco Javier Varela Salas, were the Head of the Army Logistics Support Command (MALE), Lieutenant General Fernando García y García de las Hijas, the Deputy General Director of the Under-directorate for Planning, Technology, and Innovation (PLATIN (DGAM)), General José Luis Murga Martínez, and the Deputy General Director of Terrestrial Systems of the National Aerospace Institute (INTA), Brigadier General Patricia Ortega.

Escribano is thus embarking on a fresh investment and expansion of its technological prowess, fully designed, developed, and fabricated in Spain, aspiring to set the national and international standard for technology and innovation, particularly focusing on the upcoming 8×8 DRAGON vehicle program.

It is noteworthy that ESCRIBANO received, on February 22, 2021, the favorable resolution of the grant for the demanial concession of the SAN JUAN DEL VISO/POLVORN EL VISO DETACHMENT, issued by the Secretary of State from the Directorate General of Infrastructure of the Ministry of Defense.

The Spanish firm aims to establish its own testing ground for training, evaluation, testing, and validation of systems, thereby enhancing and expanding the capabilities of the National Defense Industry, which will be made accessible to both the Spanish Armed Forces and Security Authorities for training purposes. Escribano will be launching the first National Advanced Center for Technology and Experimentation for Development, R&D&I, scientific computation, and simulation of cutting-edge dual-use technologies. This unprecedented investment is poised to promote continuous creation of skilled employment opportunities.