The Goblin unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) has completed military testing and is being prepared for deployment. It can conduct reconnaissance tasks, evacuate casualties, transport cargo, and support troops on the battlefield.

A mechanized unit is tasked with securing a section of urban terrain where enemy forces may be present. Before deploying the soldiers, the commander decides to use the Goblin unmanned platform. Two operators prepare the system – one is responsible for controlling the vehicle, while the other operates its remotely controlled turret with a 12.7-mm machine gun and surveillance systems.

Goblin enters the danger zone first. Using cameras, it conducts reconnaissance, and the real-time video feed is transmitted to the operators and the commander, who assess the situation and plan further actions. If necessary, the platform can also open fire while the operators remain at a safe distance from the vehicle.

This is one of the scenarios for using Goblin – a six-wheeled vehicle built on the Polish ULC (Universal Land Carrier) platform. The system was designed for reconnaissance, fire support, medical evacuation, cargo transport, and other types of operations. “Our goal from the start was to create a universal platform, not just a weapons carrier, but also a vehicle that can be adapted to a wide variety of military and civilian tasks,” says Mateusz Ciepliński, CEO of MACRO-SYSTEM, the producer of Goblin.

Polish Goblin

The project has been under development for over a decade. The first ULC technology demonstrator was presented in 2013, and its armed version five years later. The following years were devoted to testing and perfecting the design, drawing on the experience gained both domestically and abroad.

Goblin weighs 830 kg and has a six-wheeled chassis with independent electric drive for each wheel, which ensures high mobility in rough terrain. The platform can reach the speed of 30 km/h off-road, allowing it to operate effectively alongside maneuvering units. The design retains its operational capability even after partial damage to the drive system. Tests have shown that it can continue to move efficiently even after the failure of two wheels. One of the design objectives was to simplify logistics. Compact dimensions of the platform allow it to be transported using standard military means – from off-road vehicles to helicopters and transport aircraft. The designers also opted for proven components, primarily from Poland and Europe, ensuring reliability and easier maintenance.

Tests in Poland and Abroad

Goblin has already been tested during exercises involving the Polish Armed Forces and NATO allies, in countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and France. “We head out to the training ground and immediately hand over control to the soldiers. Without extensive training, they can quickly begin using the equipment in nearly real-life conditions. This is the best way to test the system’s intuitive operation, capabilities, and reliability,” says Małgorzata Purgał, who is responsible for unmanned systems at MACRO-SYSTEM.

Polish soldiers have also tested Goblin during the 16th Mechanized Division’s Exercise Dzielny Dzik (Exercise Brave Boar). Before the exercise began, the future operators of the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade from Braniewo had undergone training. “We learned how to operate the entire system, control the platform, and perform basic maneuvers. After completing the course, during Exercise Dzielny Dzik, we carried out practical tasks under the supervision of instructors,” says one of the four soldiers from the mechanized battalion of the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade from Braniewo (we do not disclose the soldier’s name due to the nature of his service), who earned his Goblin operator certification. “The vehicle was used for reconnaissance in urban areas and to secure troop entry into buildings. We also used it to evacuate the injured, which allowed us to carry out tasks without exposing soldiers to direct fire,” recalls the brigade operator.

The manufacturer has already developed a training methodology for future operators. Małgorzata Purgał points out that although the course lasts seven days, operating the platform using a controller, screen, or FPV goggles is so intuitive that basic maneuvers can be mastered in just several minutes. This is confirmed by a soldier from the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade, who praises the system for its simplicity and the possibility to adjust the interface to his own preferences.

One Vehicle, Many Tasks

The platform’s versatility stems from its modular design. Goblin can be equipped with, among other things, the Polish ZMU-05 turret, ballistic armor, observation systems and specialized communications systems. It can serve as a supply transporter, a light engineering vehicle, a reconnaissance platform, and can tow a vehicle weighing up to 6 tons.

One important area of development is the use of the ULC for medical evacuation. The design allows for installing a module with space for stretchers or transporting casualties on attached evacuation stretchers. The platform can also be used outside the military. A variant designed for border protection has been presented in Estonia. It was equipped with, among other things, a thermal imaging device, a warning message system, and a dazzling/detection laser module.

Future of the Design

When the creators of Goblin began working on the ULC, unmanned ground vehicles were not yet viewed as one of the key elements of the modern battlefield. Decision No. 123/MON, announced in September 2025, established a formal framework for testing unmanned systems within the Polish Armed Forces and enabled them to be evaluated directly by future users. “Our Goblin passed these tests with flying colors. We are now looking forward to the next stages of its implementation,” emphasizes Mateusz Ciepliński.

The development of such designs clearly shows that unmanned ground systems are becoming one of the key areas of the army’s technical modernization. The acquired experience and practical use of these platforms will be crucial for further development of solutions that address the needs of the future battlefield.