The idea of combat robots in the mass consciousness was formed under the influence of Hollywood blockbusters. In films, robots are presented as human-like, super-powerful machines that effectively replace soldiers on the battlefield.
However, in reality, scientific thought took a completely different path. It was much easier for engineers to design similarities to existing strike weapons (guns, armored vehicles) than to create anthropomorphic robots. A typical combat robot is a relatively small vehicle that vaguely resembles an armored infantry vehicle, armored personnel carrier or tank and moves on tracks or wheels.
Designers have been racking their brains for twenty years now about how to put a combat robot on its feet, as they say. An advanced development in this field is the four-legged BigDog or AlphaDog from the American company Boston Dynamics.
- BigDog
- U.S. Marine Corps
The advantage of this design is that the robot is able to move through forested or mountainous rough terrain, essentially performing the work of a pack animal. Specialized publications claim that a combat model will be created on the BigDog running platform.
Managed
The consciousness of the average person is often excited by the thought of the incredible abilities of combat robots, although the effectiveness of their use remains in question. Autonomous devices, which are commonly called robots, are, in fact, not full-fledged robots, since they lack artificial intelligence. That is, they are still remotely controlled by a person.
From open sources it follows that combat robots have never been used in real combat conditions (with the exception of attack unmanned aerial vehicles) due to many technical features. Footage of exercises involving robotic systems shows that they are adapted to provide fire support to infantry and do not play the role of an independent combat unit.
A person controls a robot and interacts with it on the battlefield. And since the enemy can destroy a nearby control center, it is too early today to talk about completely eliminating the risk to the lives of military personnel as a result of the introduction of robots.
In addition, the engine and design of combat robots emit a characteristic sound when moving, which reduces the likelihood of their use in special and reconnaissance operations, where silent execution of a mission is often required. For example, the American BigDog, who will have to accompany the special forces, makes such noise that it is difficult to be near him.
The goal of scientists is to eliminate these shortcomings and ultimately create completely autonomous machines that could make decisions without human intervention. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to solve the problem of recognizing friends, strangers and civilians, which is often raised in Hollywood blockbusters.
That is, an ideal combat robot should not only shoot accurately and accurately understand the owner’s commands, but also have developed artificial intelligence comparable to the capabilities of the human brain. Today, world science is probably not able to create such perfect software.
Reduce the risk of losses
Military expert Dmitry Litovkin confirmed in a conversation with RT that modern combat robots have significant shortcomings that do not allow them to replace an armed infantryman or armored vehicles on the battlefield. At the same time, the analyst emphasized that current projects are, in fact, prototypes that are necessary to create more advanced systems.
“Robotics is a very expensive endeavor. But the art of war is developing in the direction of automating battle control, which involves the use of robots, including combat ones. The main task throughout the world is to replace a person, preserve his health and life,” Litovkin noted.
According to him, Russia is practically not inferior to the United States and Israel in the field of combat robotics. The analyst believes that our country has worthy combat platforms, which are still being tested, but may be put into service in the coming years.
In a conversation with RT, the founder of the Military Russia portal, Dmitry Kornev, suggested that the shortcomings of autonomous combat modules will be eliminated in the future, but people are still very for a long time will participate in their management, personally giving the order to open fire.
“I don’t see anything wrong with the very principle of remote control, although this is not always technically possible. But even the limited use of modern combat robots reduces the risk of personnel losses. Despite the high costs, the development of combat robots will definitely be justified both from an economic point of view and morally,” the expert is confident.
Kornev believes that combat robots will form the vanguard of future operations: “On the ground, it makes sense to throw robotic tanks into battle, and to seize premises and conduct reconnaissance, use smaller vehicles, including miniature ones (such as insect robots) designed for assassinations of high-ranking commanders in the enemy camp.”
“It’s difficult to say how many combat modules our army will need. Everything depends on the military plan. I would urge you to follow the example of the USA, where there are more than a thousand combat robots. The focus on ousting a person from the battlefield will certainly pay off. And, as far as I can tell, Russia is moving in this direction,” notes Kornev.
“Whirlwind”, “Nerekhta”, “Companion”
Several samples of combat robots have already been created in Russia. The largest ground combat vehicle is the Vikhr reconnaissance and strike complex, developed on the basis of the BMP-3. The vehicle, weighing 15 tons, is armed with a 30-mm 2A72 automatic cannon, as well as a 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun and the Kornet-M anti-tank missile system.
- Vikhr reconnaissance and strike ground robotic complex with the ABM-BSM 30 combat module based on the BMP-3
- vitalykuzmin.net
The “Whirlwind” is controlled by two people: the operator and the crew commander, who makes the decision and gives the command “Fire!” If necessary, the driver can take control of the vehicle's movement. On the battlefield, the Whirlwind actually replaces an infantry fighting vehicle.
By analogy with the Whirlwind, the designers of Uralvagonzavod promised to create an unmanned Armata. It will take 2-3 years to transform the famous Russian third-generation tank into an autonomous combat module.
The 10-ton Uran-9 is a more compact and original vehicle. Externally, the robot looks more like a tank, but performs some of the functions of an infantry fighting vehicle and anti-aircraft missile system short-range "Osa". It is assumed that the vehicle will be used to cover special forces.
The Uran-9, like the Whirlwind, is equipped with a 30-mm 2A72 automatic cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun. The robot is capable of hitting tanks with 9S120 Ataka missiles, and low-flying air targets with 9K33 Igla missiles. Control is carried out from a special mobile point.
“Platform-M”, “Nerekhta” and “Soratnik” form a family of small combat robots weighing up to 1 ton.
- "Nerekhta"
- Russian Ministry of Defense
In addition to machine guns, these mini-tanks can be equipped with a grenade launcher or an anti-tank complex. The developers claim that the cars can be controlled at a distance of over 10 km.
In addition to reconnaissance and infantry support, Platform-M and Nerekhta will be used to protect strategically important and military facilities. According to media reports, combat robots, after completing all necessary tests and modifications, can be involved in the protection of missile launchers and command posts.
One of the most promising areas for the development of military equipment is remotely controlled vehicles. Such equipment can fly, move on and under water, and also travel on land, performing various tasks, from reconnaissance to striking. It just so happens that the most attention is paid to flying remotely controlled equipment - unmanned aerial vehicles. However, a similar approach can be applied to almost any military equipment, including ground. At the same time, ground-based remotely controlled systems not only exist, but are also actively used in real combat situations. Let's look at the most famous and interesting models of such American-made robots.
Development of the first American successful project combat robot launched in 1993. The Pentagon launched the TUGV (Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle) program land vehicle), the purpose of which was to equip special forces with a multi-purpose lightweight remote-controlled robot. The TUGV was supposed to be a carrier of various equipment or weapons, capable of accompanying infantry units and assisting them in performing combat missions.
Several firms were involved in the project, including Lockheed Martin and Carnegie Mellon University. They all presented their own versions of the machine, which later became the basis for a full-fledged project. One of the reasons for such “throwing” was the customer’s doubts about the specific appearance of the new device. It is worth noting that the most difficult issue was resolved at the very beginning. It lay in the concept of application and, as a result, the design of the robot. If it was seen as a lightweight multi-purpose support tool, then it could be made simple, cheap and, at the same time, unprotected. An alternative to this was a robot with bulletproof armor, a more powerful engine and a corresponding price. As a result, the Pentagon chose the second approach to creating a combat robot.
The first version of the robot of the TUGV project, which received its own name Gladiator, was made on a tracked base. It was a small device with a remote control system, a video camera and a low-power gasoline engine. As a weapon, it could carry a rifle-caliber machine gun. In general, for the mid-nineties, the first version of Gladiator was not bad, but there were too many complaints. Because of this, the firms participating in the program chose the second option. Gladiator-2 received a completely new six-wheel drive chassis with a diesel engine.
In addition, the second version of the Gladiator was equipped with a multifunctional SWARM installation, designed for mounting a machine gun of up to 12.7 mm caliber. In addition to weapons, the new robot carried a day and night surveillance system and smoke grenade launchers. All this was located on a stabilized platform. The need to install serious small arms led to an increase in the size of the entire vehicle. The combat weight of the second Gladiator could reach one ton, and the geometric dimensions of the vehicle without additional equipment were 1.8 x 1.35 x 1.2 meters.
The third version of the Gladiator robot was even larger in size and weight. Now fully loaded, the robot weighed as much as 3 tons. An interesting innovation in the design was the electric transmission. This did not lead to a significant increase in top speed, but it did help reduce the noise emitted by the machine through the use of batteries.
The latest version of the Gladiator was developed by Carnegie Mellon University, which eventually received an order to continue work on the third iteration of the project. After a series of events in the mid-2000s, the entire Gladiator program found itself in an ambiguous position due to funding cuts. If events develop favorably, the Pentagon expected to purchase at least two hundred of these robots, which will be used by the Marine Corps.
Developed in the mid-2000s. Commissioned by DARPA, Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created a universal wheeled robotic platform. It was assumed that in the future this device could be used to perform various tasks in a real environment or, at a minimum, be used as a basis for new developments.
The Crusher armored robot turned out to be quite large (more than 5 meters long and about 1.5 m high) and quite heavy - the maximum curb weight is approximately 6 tons. At the same time, the platform’s own weight is more than half as much: the fact is that, due to the experimental nature of the project, American designers made the armor a separate element of the complex. As a result, the Crusher can carry up to 3,600 kg of armor and cargo. The actual body of the remotely controlled vehicle is made using a frame design made of titanium (frame), aluminum (most of the skin parts) and steel (bumpers, etc.).
The mobility of the Crusher is ensured by the original chassis with six wheels, each of which has an independent suspension. In addition to providing shock absorption, the suspension can change the vehicle's ground clearance from zero to 75 cm. It is assumed that by changing the ground clearance, the Crusher or a vehicle based on it will be able to “crawl” under obstacles or drive over them. Naturally, provided that the obstacle is of the appropriate size.
A traction electric motor with a power of about 250 hp is located in the hub of each wheel. Thus, the total power of all engines is 1680 hp. Electric motors are powered using batteries and a generator with a capacity of up to 58 kilowatts. The latter is powered by a 72-horsepower diesel engine. The option with electric transmission was chosen to ensure the least noise of movement: if necessary, the operator turns off the rattling diesel engine and uses the battery charge.
Depending on the load, terrain conditions and other factors, the travel range on a single battery charge can range from 3 to 16 kilometers at a speed of up to 42 km/h. Under certain conditions, Crusher can carry out a continuous march, alternately charging batteries and using them until the fuel supply is exhausted.
On board the wheeled Crusher there is a set of equipment that allows you to collect all the information necessary for control. First of all, these are video cameras, the field of view of which includes almost the entire front hemisphere. The machine also comes standard with several laser rangefinders, accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc. All telemetric information is transmitted via radio channel to the control panel.
The operator of the Crusher robot works with controls, in most cases completely identical to the corresponding units of cars. Video signal and data on speed, orientation, etc. displayed on six monitors. The actual control is carried out using the steering wheel, pedals and some kind of gear knob.
The Crusher software provides several algorithms for autonomous operation. In case of loss of the control signal or at the operator’s request, the machine can automatically drive in given point independently overcoming obstacles. For example, the base can be selected as the end point, where Crusher will return in case of communication problems.
During the final design stage, the Crusher robot received a weapons turret with a heavy machine gun and a reconnaissance complex. In the second case, to the standard seat for additional weapons, a small rotating turret with a telescopic rod was installed, equipped with a video surveillance system and laser measurement and target designation equipment.
For obvious reasons, Crusher was built in a few copies and was used only as a platform for testing new technologies. This step was the right one, because already in the early stages of the check a huge number of problems were discovered, primarily with software and collaboration various systems. However, by the end of the 2000s, the Crusher project was brought to fruition and became the basis for other developments.
Autonomous Platform Demonstrator - Autonomous platform demonstrator. In fact, it is a further continuation of the Crusher project. When issuing technical specifications for the APD, DARPA demanded an increase in maximum speed, improved cross-country ability and the ability to be used by troops. The first two problems were solved by replacing the engines and modifying the chassis. As a result maximum speed increased to 80 km/h.
Several other technical problems related to increasing the operational characteristics of the “Demonstrator Platform” were also resolved. The fact is that this multi-purpose robot was created as part of the FCS (Future Combat System) program and was supposed to become a full-fledged element of equipment for some units. Among other things, DARPA indicated the need to be able to transport two APD systems on a single C-130 aircraft. Thus, the dry weight of the machine itself and the control panel should not exceed 8.5-9 tons.
Structurally, the APD is a significantly modified Crusher. Much the same can be said about the control system. External differences The new hardware is almost invisible, but the software has undergone major modifications, gaining slightly greater capabilities for autonomous actions. According to some sources, in the future, APD's electronic "brains" may even be able to assess the danger of a situation and then move to a calmer place.
It is worth noting that it is not yet entirely clear how exactly such an assessment will be made. As for target equipment, the "Autonomous Platform Demonstrator" can carry a turret with weapons or reconnaissance equipment. In addition, there is some internal volume for transporting cargo.
After the cancellation of the FCS program, the APD remotely controlled vehicle was left in limbo. On the one hand, it no longer clearly fit into the future image of the American armed forces, but on the other, a lot of money and effort had already been invested. As a result, the APD project changed its status and remained an experimental development. The development of the Platform continues to this day. Its creators claim that if the military again shows interest, then APD will be able to go into service by 2020. However, the Pentagon has not yet shown any intention to change the status of the promising project.
An important caveat must be made: the US military is not only ordering heavy remotely operated vehicles. For a number of tasks, their size is not only useless, but even harmful, if not dangerous. For this reason, the creation of several projects of light military robots began quite a long time ago. As an example, consider the SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle) program.
During the implementation of the global FCS project, the leadership of the US military wanted to obtain a small remotely controlled vehicle intended primarily for reconnaissance purposes. The main requirement for the SUGV was light weight - it was necessary to ensure that the device could be transported by soldiers. The order for the development of such a complex was received by iRobot, and the project was given the military name XM1216. The design of the small reconnaissance robot goes back to the PackBot line of multi-purpose robots.
The XM1216 has a crawler drive coupled to an electric motor. The design of the chassis is interesting: in addition to the two main tracks, an additional pair is installed on the robot. It is mounted on one end of the main tracks and is designed to overcome various obstacles, for which it has the ability to turn within a small sector. Additional tracks can be used as a lever for pushing off when climbing or for smooth descent from any obstacle.
All target equipment of the XM1216 robot consists of a video camera mounted on a small articulated lift. If necessary, the robot can carry up to 2.5-3 kg of cargo. The signal from the camera is transmitted via radio to the operator control complex. The equipment for controlling the robot consists of a main unit with a small liquid crystal screen and the remote control itself, whose layout is reminiscent of game controllers-gamepads.
The total weight of all equipment of the XM1216 SUGV complex does not exceed 15-16 kg, which makes it possible to transport both the remote control and the robot itself by just one person. For additional convenience, all systems fit into a special backpack container.
In February 2012, the Pentagon completed testing of the XM1216 robot and signed a supply contract. The exact number of complexes ordered was not announced, but there is every reason to believe that the number is in the tens, or even hundreds, of units. The amount of the agreement was also not specified.
It is worth noting that the robots described above are just the tip of the iceberg. The fact is that total There are several dozen types currently being developed, and a detailed consideration of each individually would take too much time. By 2025-30, the Pentagon plans to adopt at least a hundred new models of robots for various purposes and with different characteristics. Preparations for such large-scale equipment of troops have already begun, which has led to the emergence of a huge number of types.
/Kirill Ryabov, based on materials otvaga2004.ru, globalsecurity.org And army.mil /
We look forward to robots starting to actively enter our lives. For example, self-driving cars are essentially real robots. And who among us has not dreamed of a domestic mechanical assistant-servant?
But many people lose sight of the fact that humanity first introduces and tests all the most advanced technologies in the same industry - the war industry. It will probably be the same with robots: the most advanced models will first appear in the armies of different countries, and then penetrate into the civilian sector. Actually, this process has been going on for a long time, it’s just that the military doesn’t talk about truly advanced developments. But simpler combat robots have already become commonplace.
The simpler ones are not autonomous, but human-controlled. First of all, all kinds of drones come to mind, which in Iraq and Afghanistan have become a symbol of Western democracy. Aerial robots are the most developed today, but ground robots will also play a big role in future wars.
Pioneer robots
In our country, experiments with ground combat robotics have been conducted since the 1920s. By the beginning of the war, the Red Army had several dozen teletanks- TT-26 and TU-26. The first were lungs flamethrower tanks T-26 with remote control equipment. The operator was in the control tank - TU-26 - and could control the teletank at a distance of 0.5-1.5 kilometers. Teletanks were used quite successfully during Soviet-Finnish war in 1940 to break through fortified areas.
By the way, in the war with Finland, the TT-26 was also used as a self-propelled mine: several hundred kilograms of explosives were loaded onto it and adjusted to field fortification and gave the command to detonate. However, the most famous - but also too expensive and ineffective - self-propelled mine was the German "Goliath": a tiny wedge, controlled by wire; a box with 65-100 kg of dynamite, equipped with an electric motor, battery and tracks.
The development of ground robots was suspended due to the imperfection and unreliability of control equipment, the need for visual contact, the inconvenience of control over long distances, the risk of loss of communication due to rough terrain, and the ineffectiveness of a radio-controlled tank compared to a conventional tank. The country had many much more important tasks.
Ultralight babies
Years later, the USSR returned to the idea of creating radio-controlled robots, but this did not lead to any significant results. Whatever one may say, using people was more effective, simpler, and cheaper. But with the development of technology, a changing vision of future wars and the need to conduct counter-guerrilla warfare in numerous hot spots, ground combat robots have become an increasingly popular type of weapon.
The Americans began to lay the ski track with their ultra-light class robots. Today they are actively used throughout the Middle East, playing the role of scouts, sappers and self-propelled machine gun points. Such robots are equipped with video cameras, night vision devices, laser range finders, and manipulators for mine clearance. Infantry machine guns are most often carried as weapons, although anti-tank ones are also installed on them. missile systems, and shotguns, and grenade launchers.
What do we have from the ultra-light class?
Sapper robots
Insectoid name "Mantis-3" wears a robotic sapper created at the Miass branch of the South Ural State University. The “Mantis” can reach a mine on the roof of a minibus or under the bottom of a car with a ground clearance of only 10 cm. Like the “Sagittarius”, the robot sapper is capable of climbing stairs.
By order of the FSB at Moscow State Technical University. Bauman also developed a sapper robot "Varan", which can also be used as a reconnaissance aircraft.
A short video showing how the manipulator claw drive works: link.
Wheeled robot sapper "All-terrain vehicle-TM5", in addition to the manipulator, it can also carry a water cannon for destroying explosive devices. It is also capable of conducting reconnaissance, transporting up to 30 kg of cargo, opening doors with keys, and knocking out locks.
"Cobra-1600"- another domestic sapper robot capable of climbing flights of stairs. His tasks are still the same: object manipulation and video surveillance.
A platform was developed in Baumanka RTO- in fact, a whole family of ultra-light robots for various purposes: combat, sapper, rescue and reconnaissance.
Among them, the most impressive MRK-46 And MRK-61.
True, their great-grandfathers "Mobot-CH-HV" And "Mobot-Ch-HV2" look even more impressive. They were created in 1986 and were intended to work in conditions of high radioactive background: they removed radioactive debris from the roof of the third unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
"Lethal" robots
Let's move on to ultra-light robots carrying weapons.
Machine gun robot "Shooter" Designed mainly for urban battles. He is able to climb ladders and assist in clearing buildings. Equipped with three cameras and a Kalashnikov machine gun.
MRK-27-BT. This is not a sheep sneezed - a tracked platform the size of a large lawn mower carries two Bumblebee flamethrowers, two RShG-2 grenade launchers, a Pecheneg machine gun and smoke grenades. This entire arsenal is quick-detachable, meaning nearby fighters can borrow the robot’s weapons.
"Platform-M"
Ultra-light combat robots are a good thing, but they have their own niche. They are no longer capable of a more or less serious battle: the lack of armor and the inability to carry heavier weapons, even a heavy machine gun, seriously limit their capabilities and survivability on the battlefield. Therefore, light-medium class robots are actively developing in Russia.
"Nerekhta"
Foundation for Advanced Research and Plant named after. Degtyarev in Kovrov developed the Nerekhta robotic platform. The tracked chassis weighing about 1 ton can be equipped with both weapons and reconnaissance equipment. "Nerekhta" can even play the role of a transporter.
There is an option for an optical-electronic suppression machine: the robot is capable of detecting optical means (sights, laser designators, cameras) at a distance of up to 5 km and, getting within 2 km, blinding them with a 4 MW laser pulse.
Reconnaissance and artillery guidance vehicle:
The power plant is hybrid - diesel + electric motors. The diesel engine also charges the batteries, and if necessary, Nerekhta can travel up to 20 km on electric power alone. Maximum speed - 32 km/h.
Weapon options: Kalashnikov machine gun, Kord heavy machine gun.
This robot appeared in a recent program about the actions of Force fighters
Range of action - up to 8 km.
"Uran-6"- This is an engineering and sapper robot. It can be equipped with a bulldozer blade, striker, milling or roller trawls for mine clearance. This is especially true for clearing areas where military operations have previously taken place, leaving behind a lot of mines and unexploded ordnance. Capable of withstanding an explosion of up to 60 kg of TNT. Moreover, “Uran-6” does not just roll around stupidly in the hope of causing a detonation: it is equipped with equipment that makes it possible to determine the types of explosive devices - mines, shells, bombs.
Weight - 6 tons, range - up to 1 km.
"Uran-14"- the largest and heaviest of the Uraniums. True, its purpose is not combat; this vehicle was created to extinguish fires. But if necessary, it can also be used to clear rubble and barricades in combat zones. "Uran-14" is equipped with a fire pump, a tank for water and a foaming agent.
Engine power - 240 hp. s., weight - 14 tons, maximum speed - 12 km/h.
Surely this is not far full list Russian developments. But that’s what the army is for - the military tries not to advertise its new products. All of the robots described above are controlled by people, but there is no doubt that the development of artificial intelligence will lead to the emergence of fully autonomous machines that will only need a person for maintenance.
By the way, the T-14 Armata tank, as far as we know, can be controlled completely remotely in the future, which means it will become a super-heavy class combat robot. And if it is equipped with AI, then all that remains is to say “oops”.
One of the main paradigms of Western civilization today is the recognition human life highest value. But similar humanistic ideas come into conflict with the need to conduct combat operations and prepare military personnel for them. The death of one's own soldiers not only does not correspond to abstract values, but is also very poorly perceived by voters, to whose opinions modern politicians listen sensitively.
Modern Western armies are doing everything possible to reduce the number of casualties. The fighters are provided with the most modern equipment, communications equipment, body armor. The United States and its allies conduct ground operations only in extreme cases, trying to limit themselves to missile or bomb strikes from the air. However, most often it is impossible to win a war without a ground operation.
The most promising solution to this issue is to replace soldiers on the battlefield with robots. Active developments in this direction are carried out in many countries, but the United States is the leader so far. Already today, automated combat systems are widely used in Afghanistan and Iraq. They are not yet very willing to trust them with lethal weapons, but robots are already very successful in defusing mines and conducting reconnaissance and surveillance.
In 2007, robots took part in real combat for the first time in Iraq. The test was not very successful, but the American military is not abandoning the idea of calling “terminators” into its armed forces. Work in this direction is also being carried out in Russia, but not as actively as in the West.
However, in general, we can say that the use of automated systems on the battlefield is one of the most promising areas for the development of military affairs. We are not yet very good at making mechanical assistants, but many experts believe that humanity will see a breakthrough in this area in the next decade. Unfortunately, it is likely that new technologies will be among the first to be used for war and destruction.
Types of modern military ground robots
Modern ground military robots can be divided into the following groups:
- reconnaissance;
- engineering;
- combat;
- rear
It should be noted that for many automated devices such a division is somewhat arbitrary. They are unified platforms on which certain modules are installed depending on needs. So the sapper robot can easily be turned into a combat robot.
Military robots themselves can be roughly divided into three large groups:
- lungs;
- average;
- heavy.
A military robot consists of a remotely controlled device and a remote control from which it is controlled. Robotic mechanisms differ in the degree of autonomy; they can, to a greater or lesser extent, follow a nested program and do without constant human intervention. Already today there are dozens of types of purely military robots, differing in their size, body shape, chassis, and the presence of various manipulators.
When you mention military robots, the first thing that comes to mind is the anthropomorphic Terminator robots from science fiction films. They have their own intelligence and can act autonomously. However, this picture does not yet correspond to reality. Similar automated systems already exist (although we are not talking about artificial intelligence yet), but their cost is enormous. Therefore, military robots these days are automated or remotely controlled platforms.
Besides the fact that modern android robots are very expensive, there are hardly any tasks on the battlefield today that they would perform better than a professional soldier. The creation of a real robot soldier, who would have intelligence to one degree or another, is associated with solving a whole range of problems in the field of cybernetics, the theory of control systems, the development of new materials and energy sources.
Intelligence robots
Automated systems have long been used to collect intelligence, search for targets and target designation, and monitor the situation. For such purposes, both unmanned aerial vehicles and ground robots are used. One of the smallest reconnaissance robots used today by the US Army in Afghanistan is the Recon Scout. It weighs 1.3 kg and is 200 mm long, equipped with a conventional and infrared camera. This robot can be thrown over obstacles, but it can only move on a relatively flat surface.
Another representative of the group of reconnaissance robots is First Look 110. It weighs 2.5 kg, has tracks and is controlled from a remote control located on the operator’s wrist. The robot is equipped with four cameras and can overcome small obstacles. You can install other sensors on it: thermal imagers, indicators of biological, chemical and radiation contamination.
Another remote-controlled vehicle actively used by the US Army for reconnaissance missions is the Dragon Runner. This robot is also equipped with a tracked chassis, it is designed for the front line of combat operations. Dragon Runner is carried in a backpack and can be thrown over any obstacle.
The most popular American military robot (more than 3 thousand units produced) is TALON, developed by Foster-Miller. American soldiers love this vehicle; it has proven to be very effective in Afghanistan. This robot is perfect not only for reconnaissance, but also for neutralizing explosive devices. It was TALON that was actively used for reconnaissance of caves where the Taliban were hiding; this robot accounted for 50 thousand neutralized explosive devices. The American military even decided to give TALON weapons “as manipulators.” A modification of the robot was created, on which a machine gun, sniper rifle or ATGM could be mounted. The robot shoots with truly sniper precision.
By the way, the Americans noted interesting phenomenon: fighters become strongly attached to robots, treating them as comrades or pets.
As we see, the line between different groups of military robots is often quite thin: an automated system can conduct reconnaissance, detect mines, and directly participate in combat operations.
Engineering robots
This is another large group of mechanisms that are usually controlled remotely. Engineering robots are used to clear mines and land mines, create passages in minefields, lift heavy objects and clear rubble.
An important trend in the development of such machines has been the increase in their weight, which has made it possible to attract remotely controlled machines for more serious work. In the USA, all engineering vehicles are now controlled remotely.
A typical example of such equipment is the MV-4 (or M160) engineering vehicle. Its mass is 5.32 tons, it has a tracked chassis and is used to clear ammunition and mines at a depth of up to 320 mm. The MV-4 can be controlled from a distance of two kilometers, which makes the work of sappers completely safe.
An even heavier remote-controlled engineering vehicle is the ABV (Assault Breacher Vehicle), which in its weight and armor protection is comparable to the American Abrams OBS. The ABV is equipped with a mine trawl and mine clearance charges, and can lay smoke screens. Now in the USA they are working on a fully autonomous modification of the car.
There are a huge number of small sapper robots that are actively used not only by the military, but also by the police and special services. They have already become familiar, and we often see them on TV. Indeed, why risk people if you can send a robot with a television camera and a manipulator to examine a suspicious object?
One of the most famous mine clearance robots is the MarkV-A1, created by the American company Northrop Grumman Corporation. It is equipped with several video cameras, as well as a water cannon to destroy bombs. Currently, the MarkV-A1 is used by special forces in the United States, Israel and Canada.
Combat robots
Of course, combat robots are of the greatest interest to the public. However, this group of ground-based automated machines is not yet very developed. Modern combat is very complex, fleeting, and decisions need to be made instantly and quickly change your position. Modern automated systems still do not do all this very well. Anthropomorphic combat robots are rather technical exotics that are being worked on in laboratories. Most combat robots today have a wheeled or tracked chassis and are controlled via a cable or radio signal.
One of the most famous combat autonomous systems is the Israeli unmanned vehicle Guardium, which is used for patrol duty, protection and escort of convoys, as well as for reconnaissance. The car is built on a buggy chassis, has good speed and maneuverability, and can be equipped with weapons. Guardium was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces in 2009.
The most widespread and very recognizable combat robot is the already mentioned TALON, or rather, the SWORDS robot created on the basis of this platform, capable of carrying a sniper rifle, grenade launcher and machine gun. The cost of one unit is $230 thousand, but the manufacturer promises to reduce the price by almost half (to $150 thousand) after the start of mass serial production.
Another robot that can fire at the enemy is Warrior, created by the American company iRobot. It can be equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun, automatic shotgun, ATGM and other weapons. Warrior can also be used as a sapper, he can carry the wounded from the battlefield.
In 2010, Northrop Grumman presented another of its developments - the CAMEL combat robot. The customer was the American Advanced Research Projects Agency DAPRA. This is a flat platform on wheels, which, in addition to weapons, can also carry 550 kg of cargo. The wheels can be fitted with rubber tracks, which significantly increases the CAMEL's cross-country ability. The robot can accompany combat units and move autonomously, guided by GPS signals.
Another promising American robot is Crusher (“crusher” or “destroyer”). This is a wheeled vehicle weighing 6.5 tons. Its feature is its high cross-country ability and the ability to overcome significant obstacles. Crusher is equipped with several video cameras, a laser rangefinder, a thermal imager, and can be equipped with different kinds weapons.
The largest combat robot today is Black Knight, developed by BAE Systems (USA). This tracked vehicle weighs 9.5 tons and is armed with a 30-mm automatic cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The robot is equipped with television cameras, thermal imagers, radar, and a satellite navigation system. The Black Knight is controlled from a special command vehicle or from a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
Rear robots
A separate group consists of robots designed to transport goods, including in combat zones. Such systems must accompany fighters and transport part of their ammunition, heavy weapons and other cargo. Almost all such robots can perform additional functions: reconnaissance or evacuation of the wounded.
Examples of such machines are SMSS, R-Gator and TRAKKAR. Separately, it is worth mentioning the American robot porter BigDog, which moves on four limbs and theoretically can go where wheeled vehicles are unable to move. But this development is still experimental.
What do we have?
Russia has a good head start in this direction, although there is some lag in communication and control systems. The centers of domestic robotics are JSC Izhevsk Radio Plant, MSTU named after. Bauman, NITI "Progress" (Izhevsk).
At the Izhevsk Radio Plant, a universal robotic platform was created for the RTO, which, depending on the configuration, can perform various functions. This robot is small, but it has a very impressive arsenal: two grenade launchers, two Bumblebee flamethrowers, a Pecheneg or Kord machine gun. The MRK can be remotely controlled at a distance of 500 meters. The robot is equipped with a video camera, microphone, and lighting system.
This complex was originally created for units of the Strategic Missile Forces to protect launchers ICBM.
Like most other modern combat robots, the RTO is a universal platform on which additional equipment and weapons can be installed.
Another Russian automated combat system is Platform-M. It was developed at NITI Progress and was first shown to the public in 2018. The platform can be used for reconnaissance (there are video cameras, a thermal imager, a radar, a range finder), patrolling the area, and supporting assault units. "Platform-M" can be armed automatic grenade launcher, machine gun, ATGM. The weight of the machine is 800 kg, the payload is 300 kg. You can control the “Platform” at a distance of up to 5 km.
There is information that this vehicle is being used by Russian troops in Syria.
The heaviest Russian robotic combat system is the Uran. The weight of this machine reaches eight tons. A fire support vehicle, a mine sweeper and a fire engine were created on the basis of the Uran. "Uran" has repeatedly taken part in various exercises.
In 2018, Rosoboronexport announced the start of promotion of the Russian automated Uran-9 complex on the global arms market.
On the prospects of military robots
Robotics is receiving special attention all over the world. Over the past few years alone, the Pentagon has allocated $4 billion for the development of military robots. However, priorities in this direction are still set by the civilian sector. At present, it cannot yet be said that robotics has a strong influence on the field of defense and national security. However, things can change very quickly.
The development of automated systems is at the forefront of science and technology development. To create a truly effective combat robot, you need to solve many complex technical problems. This includes the development of fundamentally new energy sources, powerful and compact, and the creation of advanced sensors, and ensuring more reliable communications.
Currently, robots used by humans (including military ones) are more reminiscent of radio-controlled toys than the mechanisms described by Asimov and other masters of science fiction.
Video about combat robots
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Currently, robotics is developing in a wide variety of directions. Various innovations are gradually penetrating into telecommunications, transport, space, industry and many other areas. Despite the relatively calm and peaceful situation, Lately More and more countries are paying special attention to the development of another very important branch of robotics - military.
Leading world powers are developing and implementing military robots in all areas and branches of the military. The reason for such a big stir around this issue is clear. The presence of robots will allow any army to significantly reduce personnel losses during combat operations. Robots do not know fatigue, do not feel pain and are capable of performing combat missions in the most difficult conditions. It is obvious that those countries that can take the lead in the military robotics race will gain a significant strategic advantage over the rest.
“Military robotics now plays a special role. The armed forces, equipped with promising types and samples of robotic systems of tomorrow, will have an undeniable intellectual and technological superiority over the enemy, who for one reason or another will not be able to join the elite “club of robotic powers” in time and will find himself on the sidelines of the unfolding robotic revolution. The technological gap in robotics today could have disastrous consequences in the future.” candidate comments on the situation historical sciences, scientific adviser independent expert and analytical center "EPOCHA" Igor Popov
Problems of development of military robotics
At the moment, the intensive development of defense robotics is hampered by several the most important factors. Firstly, one of the main driving forces of any army is the ground forces. However, for a long time, much attention in military robotics has been paid to the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. Ground combat robots are significantly behind in their development, which is explained by the more complex conditions in which they have to function. If a feature of the air environment is the relative uniformity of its physical properties, then ground combat vehicles operate on uneven terrain, overcoming rivers, lakes, hills, plains and ravines. In other words, to move in such conditions, control systems for ground combat robots require highly complex hardware and software solutions, which are currently still at the development stage.
Also, the robots being created do not yet have enough intelligence to function autonomously. All that scientists in the field of military robotics can boast of so far is the creation of controlled or automated systems that allow them to perform tasks according to pre-programmed algorithms.
“Not a single army in the world is armed with robots that operate autonomously. Therefore, it would be more correct to call current technology robotic systems, because control and decision-making functions still largely depend on the operator, that is, a person. But the simpler functions that a robot can perform are given over to it. artificial intelligence, work on which is now actively underway.” noted in August 2016 in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, expert of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Alexey Leonkov.
If we talk about intelligent robots, then achieve high level The autonomy of the machines being created is impossible without qualitative leaps and real achievements in such areas as cybernetics, bionics, the study of the principles of the human brain, etc. However, the possibility of creating such robots rests on one very important problem - combat robots, unlike industrial ones, will have certain types of weapons. Therefore, if you give the machine “freedom”, it will create potential danger for a person. Who will guarantee that the intelligent control system will not be hacked by the enemy or infected with a virus? What will happen if terrorists take control of the robots? Understanding the danger that humanity may face in such situations, the defense ministries of various countries publicly declare that they have already abandoned the creation of autonomous robots.
“The US military will never move to truly autonomous combat vehicles. We can only use full autonomy to create cybersecurity systems that will be responsible for scanning computer networks to automatically prevent cyber attacks. All other cases of using weapons by robots will be carried out only at the command of a person.” said, as reported by Breaking Defense, the country's Minister of Defense Ashton Carter
The security problem is one of the main stumbling blocks to the development of military robotics. Thus, in July 2015, the Future of Life Institute published open letter, which spoke about the dangers of autonomous weapons systems and the need to ban their development. According to the authors of the letter, this kind of technology will inevitably lead to an arms race and create a potential threat of complete destruction to the world. This letter was signed by a large number famous people, including astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, founder of the private space company SpaceX Elon Musk, Apple founder Steve Wozniak and philosopher Noam Chomsky.
Also in October last year, Noel Shakri, a professor at the British University of Sheffield and co-founder International Committee on robotic arms control, asked the UN to as soon as possible adopt amendments to the international rules of engagement that would prohibit the use of fully autonomous armed robots in battles. Otherwise, according to the human rights activist, the consequences will be irreparable when the use of combat vehicles in wars becomes commonplace.
Advances in defense robotics. USA and Russia
To begin with, it is worth noting that not all the achievements of the leading world powers in the field of military robotics are presented here. Most developments around the world are carried out in the strictest confidence, so for now we can only be content with the information that comes to the press.
The United States has traditionally been considered an innovator in the field of military robotics, investing billions of dollars in this industry annually. The DARPA agency is overseeing this issue. By order of the agency, both “militaristic” companies and universities are constantly working on the creation of robots. Recently, more than 15 targeted developments have reached testing in real conditions, but the Pentagon refused to mass produce them for various reasons. This was largely due to the irrationality of using developed robots in real combat operations.
One of the most successful combat robots created overseas is the Gladiator, the development of which began back in the 90s. The appearance of this robot vaguely resembles a lightweight tank. Currently, tests of the third modification of Gladiator have been successfully completed, which has dimensions of 1.8x1.35x1.2 meters and weighs more than three tons. The robot has the ability to fire a 12.7 mm machine gun and grenade launchers, and has a night vision system. The vehicle's engine is diesel, and the platform is tracked.
American radio-controlled combat robot Gladiator TUGV. Source: warfiles.ru
The monster of the American military-industrial complex Lockheed Martin and Carnegie Mello University received the right to create this machine. The same university developed the Crusher robot, which resembles a wheeled car and weighs about 6.5 tons. The key features of this robot are high maneuverability and the ability to overcome various obstacles. It has several video cameras, laser rangefinders, a thermal imager and can be equipped with various weapons.
American combat robot Crusher. Source: militaryarms.ru
The machine developed by the British corporation BAE Systems seems much more serious. The 12-ton Black Knight robot, equipped with a 30 mm machine gun, is currently the largest combat robot. The Black Knight is controlled from a special CVV or from a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
In our country, the history of the development of combat robots goes back more than 80 years, when research began in the 1930s on the creation of remotely controlled guided tanks. Also, until the 1990s, we were the leader in the production of UAVs, after which all developments were frozen, which ultimately led to a significant lag in the development of the industry. However, in last years active rearmament of the army began and interest in military robotics arose with new strength. Thus, at the state level, a concept was adopted according to which until 2025, Russian army there should be about 30% of military robots.
All projects are financed by the Advanced Research Foundation (APF), created in 2012 as a counterweight to DARPA. Currently, the fund is paying close attention to more than 50 the most promising projects, and at the end of 2015, the National Center for the Development of Technologies and Basic Elements of Robotics was created within its structure.
The Kovrov Electromechanical Plant managed to create something similar to the American Gladiator and Black Knight. The new line of tracked and wheeled vehicles can also be equipped with a heavy machine gun and/or grenade launcher, weighs about a ton, is equipped with night vision devices, cameras high resolution and is capable of being under remote control. Moreover, one operator is able to simultaneously control a group of 5-6 similar robots.
Kovrov also produces lighter robots armed with a VSK-94 rifle or a Yarygin pistol. This robot was called “Metalist”.
Mobile robotic complex for reconnaissance and fire support "Metalist".
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