DISASTER MEDICINE No. 1 •2026
https://doi.org/10.33266/2070-1004-2026-1
ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF MEDICAL EVACUATION
Review article
Robotic and Unmanned Complexes for Medical Evacuation of the Wounded. Message 2. Air and Water Robotic Systems for Medical Evacuation: Analysis of Application Experience in Different Countries of the World
Markin I.V. 1, Fisun A.Ya. 2, Potapov P.K. 3, Zhurbin E.A. 1, Noskov N.S. 1, Shakhov K.Yu. 1, Ovchinnikov P.A. 1, Skidanova A.S. 4
Download the article in pdf format
1 Military Innovative Technopolis “ERA”, Anapa, Russian Federation
2 Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
3 St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
4 State Research Center – Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russian Federation
UDC 614.88:623.746.4-519:629.5.03-519(100)
P. 74-79
Summary. The objectives of the study are to analyze modern world developments used for aerial and surface robotic medical evacuation of the wounded, and to identify the main development trends.
Materials and methods of research. Research materials – open news publications posted on the Internet; scientific publications from the systems: Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, eLibrary; patent documents from the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) and USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) databases; analytical reports from the National Defense and Security Information and Analytical Center (USA) on the use of robotic complexes and unmanned systems in the US Army to solve medical evacuation tasks the wounded.
Research methods – methods of generalization and content analysis, analytical method, methods of comparison and description, forecasting method.
The results of the study and their analysis. The tactical and technical characteristics of air and surface robotic complexes used to provide evacuation measures have been found and analyzed.
Two key trends in the evolution of evacuation of the wounded have been identified: the development of multi-purpose autonomous platforms for the integration of logistical operations and the creation of medical systems based on artificial intelligence to analyze patients’ vital signs, diagnose, recommend treatment and conduct therapeutic procedures.
The introduction of robotic complexes and unmanned systems into combat operations is clearly visible, as well as the transition from the direct participation of military personnel to the role of operators of robotic systems.
Keywords: airborne robotic complexes, medical evacuation, search and rescue robots, surface robotic complexes, unmanned systems, wounded
For citation: Markin I.V., Fisun A.Ya., Potapov P.K., Zhurbin E.A., Noskov N.S., Shakhov K.Yu., Ovchinnikov P.A., Skidanova A.S. Robotic and Unmanned Complexes for Medical Evacuation of the Wounded. Message 2. Air and Water Robotic Systems for Medical Evacuation: Analysis of Application Experience in Different Countries of the World. Meditsina Katastrof = Disaster Medicine. 2026;1:74-79 (In Russ.). doi: 10.33266/2070-1004-2026-1-74-79
СПИСОК ИСТОЧНИКОВ / REFERENCES
- U.S. Army. “Aeromedical Evacuation and Enroute Care Including Technologies for Automated Casualty Care and Autonomous Patient Transport.” AMSUS 2023 Annual Meeting, National Harbor. MD, 14 February 2023.
- Армейский стандарт. Беспилотный «извозчик» морпехов США [Armeyskiy Standart. Bespilotnyy «Izvozchik» Morpekhov SShA = Military Standard. The US Marines’ Unmanned “Carrier” (In Russ.) URL: https://armystandard.ru/news/2022639480uKuA.html?ysclid=mbosjrej5h704877619 (Date of Access: 21 May 2025)].
- Специализированный портал для военной медицины и военной фармации. “Dronevac System“ [Spetsializirovannyy Portal dlya Voyennoy Meditsiny i Voyennoy Farmatsii. “Dronevac System“ = A Specialized Portal for Military Medicine and Military Pharmacy. “Dronevac System” (In Russ.)]. URL (Date of Access: 21 May 2025)
- Thompson K. Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET). URL: https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2016/GRCCE/Thompson.pdf (Date of Access: 01/12/2018).
- U.S. Marine Corps. “Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment (LOCE).” Marines. URL: https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2708135/littoral-operations-in-a-contested-environment-loce/ (Date of Access: 02/08/2021).
- Hall M.T. Drones Can Speed Medical Care, Search and Rescue. U.S. Naval Institute. URL: https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/february/drones-can-speed-medical-care-search-and-rescue(Date of Access: February 2021).
- Kenney C. “Medevac Drone-Boat, Record-Setting UAV to Play in Sprawling Maritime Exercise.” Defense One. URL: https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2023/02/medevac-drone-boat-record-setting-uav-play-sprawling-maritime-exercise/383454/.
- Vavasseur X. Austal USA Wins U.S. Navy Contract for Expeditionary Medical Ship. Naval News. URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/12/austal-usa-wins-u-s-navy-contract-for-expeditionary-medical-ship/.
- LaGrone S. Crew-Optional USNS Apalachicola Delivers to the Navy, Ship’s Unmanned Future Unclear. USNI News. URL: https://news.usni.org/2023/02/16/crew-optional (Date of Access: 16/02/2023).
- Naval Sea Systems Command. Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF). NAVSEA. URL: https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Team-Ships/PEO-Ships/Expeditionary-Fast-Transport-EPF/ (Date of Access: 17/04/ 2024).
- Austal Limited. Austal USA Delivers 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport to United States Navy. Austal. URL: https://www.austal.com/news/austal-usa-delivers-14-th-expeditionary-fast-transport-united-states-navy (Date of Access: 12/01/2024).
- Maritime Tactical Systems. Inc. Devil Ray T38 Unmanned Surface Vessel. MARTAC. URL: https://martacsystems.com/products/t38/ (Date of Access: 17/04/2024).
- Pilgrim C., M. Fitzgerald. Novel Approaches to Point of Injury Care Utilising Robotic and Autonomous Systems. Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health (JMVH). 2022;30;4:6–10. URL: https://jmvh.org/article/https-doi-ds-org-doilink-11-2022-76753281-jmvh-vol-30-no-4/ (Date of Access: 2022).
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Army Combat Trauma Care in 2035. Proceedings of a Workshop–In Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2020. С. 1–12. Doi: 10.17226/25724.
The material was received 14.10.25; the article after peer review procedure 09.02.26; the Editorial Board accepted the article for publication 16.03.26
