In an era where technology increasingly interweaves with the fabric of modern warfare, the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) has embarked on testing a new frontier of combat capabilities: armed robotic dogs. These quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGVs), developed by Ghost Robotics and equipped with weapon systems by Onyx Industries, represent a remarkable leap in military robotics.
MARSOC’s current evaluation of these Q-UGVs, as disclosed by Onyx Industries, includes testing two variants equipped with the company’s SENTRY Remote Weapon System (RWS). This system, which is AI-assisted and features advanced digital imaging for target acquisition, maintains a crucial element: it requires a human operator to make the final decision to engage a target, thus ensuring human-in-the-loop control over the lethal force application. The use of such technology is in compliance with existing Department of Defense policies on autonomous weapons, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and international law.
The potential of these robotic dogs is multifaceted, with applications ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to direct engagement with targets. Notably, the armed Q-UGVs are tested in various calibers, such as 7.62x39mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor, providing a versatile capability for different operational scenarios. Moreover, these systems offer the capability to operate in hazardous environments, thereby reducing risk to human personnel.
The Vision 60 model from Ghost Robotics, a mid-sized all-weather ground drone, is designed for a wide array of tasks, including remote inspection and persistent security in both urban and natural terrains. With its agility and durability, the Vision 60 can access confined spaces and gather intelligence, paralleling the historical use of actual canines in dangerous operations.
Onyx Industries’ SENTRY system, equipped on these Q-UGVs, includes an X360 Pan/Tilt Gimbal stack, offering full electro-optical/infrared capability, paired with the AI-assisted Digital Imaging System (DIS) and the Remote Actuated Weapon (RAW). This setup enables the robotic dogs to scan and identify potential targets such as drones, humans, and vehicles, with the engagement decision remaining in the hands of the remote human operator. This capability to be operated over “any communication network” underscores the systems’ adaptability and the focus on minimizing operator risk.
Relevant articles:
– Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs Now Being Tested By Marine Special Operators (Updated), twz.com, 05/09/2024
– Robot dogs armed with AI-targeting rifles undergo US Marines Special Ops evaluation, Ars Technica, 05/08/2024
– Marine special forces test robot dog with rifle on its back, GIGAZINE（ギガジン）, 05/09/2024
– Robot Dogs with AI-Targeting Rifles Now Under US MARSOC Testing, Tech Times, 05/09/2024
– US Marine Special Forces Tests New Robot Dogs with Weapon Systems, Army Recognition, 05/08/2024