- Robots are being tested for potential use in reconnaissance and surveillance
- But Marines say that it is not being used in the field and is one of several options being evaluated
- Robotic dogs fitted with flamethrowers already available to the public in the US
Robot dogs fitted with rifles are being evaluated by the US Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), according to reports.
The War Zone first reported the testing. In it, the robots, based on Ghost Robotics’ Vision 60 quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle (Q-UGV), have been fitted with remote weapons systems, complete with Onyx Industries’ SENTRY remove weapon system, with two rifles included.
Many being tested
MARSOC is remaining relatively tight-lipped over the potential uses for the gun-toting robots – understandably, given their sensitive role – saying in a statement that the Q-UGV was one of many pieces of ground robotics technology being evaluated at the moment. It added that it is not fielding this capability currently, with weapons one of many potential payloads for the technology.
Ghost Robotics says on its website that the robot can move up to 10 feet per second, and cover up to 10 kilometers and its maximum payload is about 22 lbs. It can operate on full power for three hours.
Flamethrowing robots
There are other types of dog-like robots on the market available to the public, including one that can be fitted with a flame-thrower. Ohio-based Throwflame recently launched the Thermonator, which the company claims is “the first-ever flamethrower-wielding robot dog,” and is “your ultimate firepower companion”.
The quadruped robot has an ARC flamethrower strapped to its back, which can be fuelled with either gasoline or napalm and has a flame range of up to 30 feet.
