Image source: topwar.ru
In recent years, the us military command is considering the introduction of unmanned systems in the military as one of the most promising directions of modernization of the armed forces of the United States. For many years of military experts are trying to determine which ways of using robots on the battlefield represent the maximum interest for the armed forces.
Center systems, ground vehicles of the US army working on the project Origin. For land forces developed at least three robotic platform, officially known as robotic combat vehicle (RCV), with large, medium and small options. Project RCV is managed cross-functional teams in combat vehicles of the new generation and the Executive program office for ground combat systems.
Unmanned vehicle Project Origin represent vosmiklasnica (4-axis) platform the size of a small car designed to transport payloads. According to the major Cory Wallace, the robot is a complex system. It includes software, the autonomy, the interface of the payload, the user interface and data management system.
Since then, in 2019, work began with four vehicles, the project Origin experienced at least nine times. By the end of 2022 it is planned to use in experiments already 10 unmanned vehicles. They will be able to perform on the battlefield, a variety of functions: intelligence, engineering, cover, contain attacks and so on. The Pentagon expects to extend the testing of the project until 2025.
It tells the major Wallace, it is necessary to check how well the machine will work in the most adverse conditions, for example, in a horrifying dirt at the maximum or bad weather. Now unmanned vehicle project Origin are involved in the maneuvers with infantry, armored and airborne units. They are prepared to meet future missions that can be very diverse.
Image source: topwar.ru
For example, in September 2021 the car blocked intersections and landing of helicopters taking on risks that could be fatal to personnel. In June 2022, the machine made their way behind enemy lines during a training exercise in Germany and produced there smoke bombs-point refueling, not allowing the helicopters to respond to the attack.
Testing of Autonomous vehicles has demonstrated that under certain improvement they can provide great help to the army units on the battlefield. Also allowed to identify the main factor influencing the use of such machines is a well-functioning network management.
A separate issue is the interaction of unmanned vehicles with soldiers and commanders on the battlefield. As we found out during the experiments, the commanders are willing to risk more when armed robots. At the same time is very important and the training of operators of such machines. As noted by major Wallace, now the main question is whether a statement such unmanned machines have a separate military or specialty is an ordinary foot soldier or scout, trained to manage RCV.
But looks like one of the tests of robotic combat vehicle military specialists: