The US Army received a cyberdog with a machine gun to destroy drones. Video

2024: U.S. Army use of cyberdog with machine gun to destroy drones

In early August 2024, it became known that the US Army received a cyberdog with a machine gun to destroy drones. A related exercise took place on 1 August at Fort Drama, New York, as part of Operation Hard Kill. This site is the leading training center for combating unmanned aerial vehicles.

This is not the first time the US Army has tested rifle-wielding cyberdogs, mostly developed from the Ghost Robotics Vision 60. These AI robots could potentially be used not only to combat drones. Marines tested cyberdogs with rifles and anti-tank missiles, and unarmed models are used to patrol the perimeter of the base.

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Operation Hard Kill demonstrated advanced capabilities, methods and procedures for using both lethal and non-lethal robotic systems. The exercises were attended by Ghost Robotics Vision 60 cyberdog, equipped with a AR-15/M16-type carbine. This rifle is equipped with an electro-optical guidance system called "Lone Wolf" with a retractable lens lens. This setup likely provides infrared or thermal imaging vision that is particularly useful for detecting aerial targets. In addition, a laser sighting device is attached to the side of the rifle, and a camera similar to the GoPro is installed in the back.

Photos and videos from the exercise demonstrate various technologies to combat drones in action. Among other things, a system was presented that can be adapted for anti-drone operations using 70-mm laser-guided missiles. However, this system is quite versatile and can also be equipped with Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapons to defeat ground threats.^[1]

2033: The start of Ghost Robotics robots in the US Army

At the end of August 2023, it became known that the US Army received robot dogs armed with assault rifles. According to The Register, we are talking about the use of the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Q-UGV) robotic platform.

The peculiarity of this four-dog is that it is able to effectively move around the landscape of different types - even where wheeled vehicles are not able to pass. The robot dog has an enhanced execution, and it takes about 15 minutes to fully assemble it. The weight is about 50 kg, the maximum payload weight is 10 kg. The charge of the battery pack is enough to overcome 10 km of the path with a maximum speed of 3 m/s.

Ghost Robotics Vision 60 Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Bhavanjot Singh, Senior Scientific and Technical Manager at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, said that the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 dogs are planned to be equipped with a new Sig Sauer XM7 rifle that uses 6.8 mm ammunition. The aiming range reaches 1000 m. Earlier, the US Army also experimented with installing an M4A1 carbine on a cyberdog. It is assumed that such dogs will be able to accompany infantrymen during combat operations.

While semi-autonomous and remotely operated platforms have already entered the U.S. military's arsenal, the prospect of using robot dogs with rifles on board is controversial. So, half a dozen robotics companies, including Boston Dynamics, published a letter in October 2022 urging them to refrain from operating armed military robots. The use of such autonomous machines can also pose a threat to civilians. In addition, serious ethical problems are created.^[2]

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