US Army debuts armed ground robot in Iraq

[Robbien]

Source: Jane UK

The US Army recently debuted the first armed unmanned ground system (UGS) in Iraq, marking a new milestone for unmanned systems.

The Special Weapons Observation Remote reconnaissance Direct action System (SWORDS) is a version of the Foster Miller 3B robot that is outfitted with the Telepresent Rapid Aiming Platform (TRAP) remotely operated weapon station made by Precision Remotes. SWORDS can carry a 5.56 mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun or an M109 Barrett .50-calibre sniper rifle.

Three SWORDS are currently deployed with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in Iraq. According to Tim Everhard, business development executive with Foster Miller, the SWORDS is the "first safety-certified armed ground robot" deployed with a military unit.

. . .

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have spurred a number of developments in unmanned ground vehicles, which are now used for a variety of missions such as explosive ordnance disposal and reconnaissance. But SWORDS marks the first time robots might potentially be employed in a classic infantry role.

Read more: http://www.janes.com/news/defence/land/idr/idr070813_1_n.shtml

[pwb]

1. Seems to me a few well placed rounds could disable these expensive robots.

I would consider this wastful spending.

[sofa king]

9. Oh yeah.

The first thing I'd do is disable it, then set up an ambush for the poor bastards who have to go get it.

Believe me, that's not telegraphing anything to the freedom-haters. That's insurgency 101.

[Buzz Clik]

2. Yeah, so? Will Robinson built Robby the Robot, and he had TWO arms.

Goddam Pentagon is always two steps behind.

[NickB79]

3. Does it have CyberDyne Industries embossed on the side?

Someone call Sarah Conner!

[dipsydoodle]

4. Good memory for names

Excellent !

[IndianaGreen]

11. H.G. Wells had flying machines dropping bombs on cities. It was scifi!

James Cameron conceived of Terminators, machines that humans could not control. It was scifi too!

Why are we creating things that will invariably become sensient and turn on us?

[L0oniX]

5. f*cking robo cop ass carrots

[tanyev]

6. Even now, they are feverishly working on a clone army.

Of course they'll all look like Dubya. What better way to strike fear in the dark hearts of the evil-doers?

[classysassy]

7. New cannon fodder

now we can meet our recruitment goals.

[slackmaster]

8. GrovelBot can kick its ass

Grudge match!

[ohio2007]

10. 'freedom fighters' will love these clowns

[Wcross]

12. Not really a "robot", it is a remote controlled vehicle.

I am glad to see our military is using things like this. I would rather have this toy destroyed in combat than a soldier or Marine.