Armed Robots Join the Battle in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Source: IraqSlogger

Armed Robots Join the Battle in Iraq
Army Quietly Testing First Three SWORDS in the Combat Zone
By CHRISTINA DAVIDSON

The summer of 2007 may become zero hour for the era of post-modern warfighting, as the US Army has finally introduced armed robots to the battle. The insurgency should not fear invading legions of Terminators, but the "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) will enable machine to go where man would surely die.

The 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade was given the opportunity for the first test runs in the field, and three units arrived in Iraq in April, according to National Defense magazine.

SWORDS is designed to take on “high risk combat missions,” according to an Army statement. The robot can draw and respond to fire before a soldier even enters a risky situation, acting as a force multiplier on the battlefield.

The SWORDS reportedly haven't fired their weapons yet, but the program manager reports the response has been so positive that the Army would like to order 80 more if their appropriations budget permits. So far, he reports, the first three units have been out on recon missions and on street patrol.

Read more: http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/3810

[Ian David]

1. See prior thread: First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq

First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=116x15878

[leveymg]

2. No wonder the world hates us. We're not even human, anymore.

[zbdent]

3. Wait a minute ...

It's Zap Branigan who defeats the Killbots by sending wave after wave of soldiers at them until they meet their quota and shut down ...

[Barrett808]

4. A dark day for Robotkind...

...But we can always build more killbots!

[cosmicdot]

5. are these made by QinetiQ?

In February 2003, the U.S. private equity firm the Carlyle Group acquired a 33.8% share in the company for £42m.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QinetiQ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster-Miller

On 8 September 2004 Foster-Miller agreed to a merger with QinetiQ North America for $163 million US dollars.