Keeping a ground robot out of the enemy’s sight can be more effective than adding extra armor. That principle shaped the design of the Russian Depesha-3 robotic platform, whose compact dimensions and low profile make it harder to detect. The approach was explained by JSC NPO High-Precision Systems, a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation.

Before an enemy can destroy a vehicle, it must first locate the target, identify it and establish its precise position. Armor provides protection only when an attack reaches its final stage, while a smaller silhouette makes the earlier steps more difficult. Camouflage guidelines identify movement during daylight and thermal signatures at night as major factors that expose equipment. Even drones equipped with intelligent targeting systems depend on sufficient contrast to distinguish objects from their surroundings.

For ground robots, even a ten-centimeter difference in height can significantly affect their visibility. A lower vehicle is easier to conceal in grass, road ruts and natural depressions. Its smaller visible surface also makes camouflage simpler, requiring less netting to cover the machine. Additional armor, meanwhile, comes at a cost. Just ten extra kilograms reduce payload capacity and operating range while increasing ground pressure. Despite the added weight, some sections of the vehicle inevitably remain exposed.

The vulnerability of easily detected robotic vehicles was previously highlighted by a Russian strike-drone platoon commander known by the call sign Lis. According to his observations, enemy ground robots travel slowly and have little ability to evade incoming attacks. In most cases, a single drone is enough to destroy one. These vehicles are particularly vulnerable when crossing exposed terrain, where they become easier to spot and target. Although his assessment represents the perspective of one participant in the fighting, it illustrates the risks associated with operating robotic equipment in open areas.

The Depesha-3 was developed with these limitations in mind. Rather than relying primarily on heavy armor, its designers focused on reducing the machine’s visibility. The Russian platform weighs several times less than the American MUTT and is compact enough to fit inside the trunk of a conventional SUV.

For a lightweight, inexpensive robotic vehicle, avoiding detection is more important than maximizing protection against a direct hit. By keeping the Depesha-3 small and difficult to identify against the surrounding terrain, its developers aim to prevent an enemy attack before it can begin.