Military+Applications

=  ﻿ ﻿Military Applications of Robotics toc   =


 * Most people probably equate robots with modern, or even futuristic, combat scenarios and don't realize just how long various militaries have been using robots in warfare.**

**-1898 -**
In 1898, inventor Nikola Tesla introduced his remote-controlled boat to spectators at a New York electrical exhibition. The first of its kind, it was described by Tesla as being equipped with a “borrowed mind." In reality the scientist was controlling the boat with radio waves via a remote control. To the audience, it must have seemed as though he was controlling the boat with his thoughts.

When a reporter suggested to Tesla that his boat would make a powerful weapon, the inventor erupted. “You do not see there a wireless torpedo, you see there the first of a race of mechanical men which will do the laborious work of the human race." However, correspondence between Tesla and John Jacob Astor suggests that Tesla was trying to sell his invention to the U.S. Navy, but the Navy was nervous that the amazing technology might backfire and declined to purchase his invention.

-1940s -
The German "Goliath" was used by Hitler's army on the Poles during the Polish Uprising of 1944.

The Goliath tracked mine looked like a small tank with no turret. It was mobile and expendable. The Nazi Wehrmacht used the Goliath to clear mines and bunkers, but the Goliath could also be a mobile bomb. The early Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) was controlled by a soldier standing a safe distance using a remote control, which was attached to the Goliath by three wires. Two of the wires were used to steer the 4-foot-long vehicle. The last wire was used to fire the explosives.

-1960s and '70s -
In the late 1950s, the military contracted Ryan Aeronautical Company to build two types of recon drones. The first were modified target drones meant for shorter missions. These “Lightning Bugs” collected intelligence on targets in Vietnam, China and North Korea during the 1960s and early 1970s.

But for longer-range missions a different kind of UAV was needed. Enter the Compass Arrow.



The UAV had a wingspan of 48 feet and carried a payload of over 300 pounds. It had some stealth design, which was advanced for the mid-1960s, a rounded fuselage and tail fins that were rotated in. The engine was mounted above the fuselage to minimize the infrared signature. Although the design was considered ahead of it's time it was never used due to politics of the period.

-1980s –
It proved easier for engineers to build an unmanned vehicle that goes through the air than an unmanned vehicle that moved on the ground.

Before 1988 UGVs were far behind UAVs in terms of development, but by the end of the decade they had begun to catch up. Unmanned ground vehicles from the Robotic Ranger, which was designed as an armed moving platform, to the ROBAT -- a modified M-60 tank meant for mine clearing -- were tested and funded.

- Modern Day -
Below is a brief description on the present use of military robots:


 * Daksh** – Daksh is one of the most current military robots. It is an electrically powered and remote controlled robot which is used to locate, handle and destroying risky objects safely. The man role of this military robot is to recover improvised explosive devices. In short it is a vehicle for defusing bombs. The current use of military robots like Daksh has helped military organization in many ways. This robot can even climb stairs to reach risky materials. Moreover, it can also scan objects using its portable X-ray device.


 * Goalkeeper –** As far as the current use of robots in military is concerned, we cannot leave behind Goalkeeper. This military robot is a Dutch close-in weapon system that helps to defends ships from incoming missiles as well as ballistic shells. This system generally comprises of autocannon and advanced radar that tracks incoming fires. It is an automatic system that can be also be deployed to protect airfields


 * PackBot –** PackBot is basically a series of military robots. The most recent base model of this robot is PackBot 510. This model utilizes a videogame-style hand controller make handier to young women and man. Configurations in this recent model include PackBot 510 with EOD bomb disposal, PackBot 510 with fast Tactical Maneuvering Kit; PackBot 510 with first responder kit, PackBot 510 with HazMat Detection Kit, PackBot 510 with Fido and PackBot 510 with REDOWL Sniper Detection Kit.


 * MARCbot -** This is also one type of military robots that has been used to inspect suspicious objects. It is a low cost robotic platform, and it has been used in Iraq for the inspection of suspicious objects. This robot is one amongst the smallest and the most commonly used military robots. It looks like a small toy truck with an elevated mast on which a camera is mounted. The camera is utilized for looking behind the doors. It has the capacity to run 6 hours on a set of fully charged batteries and was developed with the input of soldiers in Iraq to meet their needs. However, the use of military robots today has helped the soldier to detect hazardous materials and objects.

Below is a video of the U.S. Army 725th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company at work using a robot to detonate several roadside bombs in Baqubah, Iraq. media type="youtube" key="Yx-U-r5DE7E?fs=1" height="315" width="436" align="center"

Below is a video of Lockhead Martin's **Human Universal Load Carrier**, or **HULC**. It may be the possible future of Robots in the military.

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**Glossary of Military Robotics related terms**


 * Autonomous** - Self-governing. For instance, autonomous UAVs only need ground support during takeoffs and landings. All other mission tasks including navigation are preprogrammed so that onboard computers can take care of all combat operations on their own. Any fully autonomous UAV or UGV must be sophisticated and reliable enough to assess the situation and apply the current rules of engagement.


 * EOD** – Explosive Ordinance Disposal. EOD was one of the first jobs for military robots. Instead of putting humans in danger, these robots can inspect and investigate suspicious objects, and neutralize them by disrupting sensitive activation devices, or by moving the object to a safe place.


 * GPS** – Global Positioning Satellite


 * Man-Portable Robotic Systems** – UAVs or UGVs that can be carried by a single person.


 * RSTA** - Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition


 * Semi-Autonomous** – Partially self-governing. Semi-Autonomous aerial vehicles require ground control during important portions of flight like takeoff, landing, weapons employment, and some evasive maneuvers. Semi-Autonomous ground vehicles would be able to avoid obstacles while the operator focuses on other more mission oriented tasks.


 * Tele-Operated** – A machine that is Tele-Operated is operated at a distance. Tele-Operated is the technical and research version of the conversational term remote control.


 * UA/GCV** – Unmanned Aerial/Ground Combat Vehicle, sometimes used to reflect the difference between vehicles meant for reconnaissance and others that are armed.


 * UA/GS** – Unmanned Aerial/Ground System, sometimes used to reflect the fact that these are not just aircraft, but systems including ground stations and other elements.


 * UAV** – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle


 * UGV** – Unmanned Ground Vehicle