Eleven Łukasiewicz institutes are presenting an offer of technologies, services, equipment, weapons and armaments for the army and uniformed services during the XXXII International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO on three stands. The institutes, representing various branches of the research and development industry, are presenting dozens of exhibits. These include explosive charges and grenades, ceramic cartridges for bulletproof vests, electronic components, and even a ship’s electric motor. Presentations of self-propelled combat robots and aerospace complement the exhibition.
This year’s edition of the MSPO brought together 769 exhibitors from 34 countries who occupied a total of 35,000 m2 of exhibition space. The exhibitors include as many as 11 Łukasiewicz institutes presenting themselves on three “Ł stands” and one guest stand from outside the network.
The main Łukasiewicz stand, with eight institutes exhibiting, constitutes a display presenting the wide range of capabilities and offerings of the Łukasiewicz institutes. A marine electric motor weighing almost 600 kg is on display, as well as miniature electronic systems that are used in missile guidance systems. The stand includes ceramic combustion chambers for aerospace applications, ceramic-inserted assault grenades, and ceramic inserts for bulletproof vests that are significantly lighter than their steel counterparts. It is possible to see how autonomous vehicles see their surroundings through imaging using a camera and lidar, a laser measuring device used in autonomous vehicles to determine the distance to objects around the vehicle. Also on display are dual-use technologies (both civilian and military) such as antimicrobial coatings and 3D printing powders.
The Łukasiewicz Aviation Institute was located opposite the Łukasiewicz joint stand, which presents the military applications of its technologies. Following last year’s premiere of the HASTAA drones, this year’s showstopper is the ILR-33 Bursztyn suborbital rocket and its mobile launcher, the military face of which is being presented by institute staff during numerous meetings. It is worth noting that the Bursztyn rocket is the first Polish space vehicle, as it reached the contractual limit of space at the beginning of July, exceeding the 100 km ceiling. It is also the only vehicle to date to run on an innovative, environmentally friendly fuel – 98% hydrogen peroxide – the production of which, together with a contractor, Łukasiewicz – ILOT announced a year ago at MSPO.
The third “Ł stand” is the Łukasiewicz – PIAP combat robot exhibition. Its centrepiece consists of the latest version of the PIAP HUNTeR combat robot with the ZMU-03 remotely controlled weapon module, complemented by smaller robots: PIAP IBIS in transport and medical evacuation versions and two smaller devices. Robots manufactured by Łukasiewicz – PIAP are used by the uniformed formations of almost 30 countries.
Complementing Łukasiewicz’s presence at the MSPO is a display by Łukasiewicz – Institute of Tele- and Radio Technology, which is presented at the stand of the POLSA – Polish Space Agency.