U.S. Army Testing Robots for Military Support

They swim for miles, scale fences, and trek through blinding snow. They defuse bombs and keep their composure. They can carry up to 1,000 pounds and stay light on their feet.

They’re troops of … robots.

The use of robot technology is nothing new for the U.S. military, but as technology continues to advance, the strategists looking to make troops more successful are ready to embrace robots both large and small.

What Are Army Robots?

First things first: These are far from what Hollywood and sci-fi novels would call “war machines.” The robots in question are built to make the men and women who do undertake combat a little safer, more comfortable, and more competitive — essentially boosting to the power and strength we already have.

At stake in what can only be called an “innovation battle” is a large contract — almost half a billion dollars — for a robot that can defuse bombs and scout out enemy positioning. This little robo-recon specialist has to be small but mighty, fitting in a backpack as a tool for troops. And the Army wants 3,000 of them.

The hope for this little guy — and others like it — is that it can “look around the corner, over the next hillside, and let the robot be in harm’s way and let the robot get shot,” according to military tech expert Paul Scharre, of the Center for a New American Security.

The Marines are also seeking an unmanned, rugged, robot mule to keep up with their pack squads. Capable of carrying between 500 and 1,000 pounds and outfitting a unit of up to 15 Marines, the unit must be able to move with the squad through a wide range of conditions and be able to handle inconsistent terrain. Rough roads, off-roading, and long days are all on the table; a three-day run time would be ideal, according to the initial request for information.

For 2019, squads with the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, and Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina will be testing four different robots that could get the job done:

• The MRZR X, based on the Polaris MRZR in current military service
• The General Dynamics 4×4 Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (the MUTT), an eight-wheeled flatbed hauling vehicle
• The Howe and Howe RS2-H1, which boast a six-wheeled system with a morphed tire/track configuration for added traction
• The HDT Global Hunter Wheeled Offload Logistics Follower (the WOLF)

Every one of the test mules can be operated with a single hand, by remote control. Two of the devices also offer non-line-of-site maneuvering thanks to onboard sensors and cameras. Only one model — the Polaris edition — even offers the option to accommodate a human driver.

Looking Ahead

Sean Bielat, CEO of Endeavor Robotics, is vying to craft the bomb-defusing robot for the Army. He sees immense potential in the push for military robotic technology that can offer enhanced intelligence, high durability, and nimble performance.

“You are multiplying combat power by allowing robots to take on missions that would ordinarily be performed by troops,” he said of the innovations ahead.

Image Credit: General Dynamics

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