Shield Dynamics

Tier 2 · Carrier and communications

Tortoise

A heavy carrier platform that transports Cobra units to the work area, distributes them along planned search lanes, and hosts the communications link between the platforms and their operators.

Request a briefing Specifications

FIG. T-2 · TORTOISE · IN THE FIELD · NOT TO SCALE

Tortoise carrier on the ground, side view Line drawing of the Tortoise tracked carrier, seen from the side with its front to the left. A long, rigid hull with a raised cab at the front sits on a full-length track with seven road wheels. The rear ramp is lowered to the ground. The vehicle stands on a level patch of uneven terrain with grass, bushes, rocks and a small tree.
Tortoise general arrangement: side, plan and rear views, with deployment sequence Engineering drawing of the Tortoise tracked carrier. The side elevation shows the hull on continuous tracks, a communications mast at the front and a rear ramp lowered to the ground. The plan view shows two tracks either side of the hull and a central bay holding four Cobra units in parallel rows, exiting over the rear ramp. The rear view shows the ramp opening between the tracks and the mast relaying signals. A three-step inset shows the carrier in transit, lowering its ramp, and a Cobra unit driving out. 112233445566AABBCCDD COMMS MASTAIR / GROUND RELAY COBRA BAY4 UNITS STOWED REAR RAMPLOWERED TRACKED RUNNING GEAR ASIDE ELEVATION DEPLOY OVERALL WIDTH BPLAN VIEW RAMPCOBRA EXIT CREAR ELEVATION 01 · TRANSIT 02 · RAMP DOWN 03 · COBRA OUT DDEPLOYMENT SEQUENCE
TitleTortoise · General arrangement
Dwg no.SD-T-001
ScaleNTS
RevA
Sheet1 of 1

01 · Role in the system

The backbone on the ground

Tortoise connects the aerial and ground tiers. It moves along approach routes identified by Eagle, carries a group of Cobra units to the edge of the suspected area, and releases them to begin their search.

While Cobra units are working, Tortoise stays nearby as a communications hub. It relays detection data and status to operators at a safe standoff distance and passes tasking back to the units.

02 · Functions

What Tortoise does

  • TransportCarries multiple Cobra units over ground they could not efficiently cover on their own, and protects them in transit.
  • DistributionDeploys Cobra units at the start of their assigned lanes and recovers them when the search is complete.
  • CommunicationsHosts the local network for the deployed units and the link back to the operator station.
  • SupportProvides a base for the Cobra units in the field between search tasks.

03 · Specifications

Parts list

SD-T-001 · Rev A
01Platform typeHeavy unmanned ground carrier
02Primary functionCobra transport, deployment and communications relay
03PayloadMultiple Cobra units
04Communications roleLocal network hub for deployed units and link to the operator station

Tortoise is in active design. Detailed specifications will be published as development progresses.

Next in the system

Cobra: close-range detection

Cobra platform