Replies to post #507801 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[Zorax]

I think it matters what the definition of robot is? Is your apple phone a robot? The amazon desk thingie that spies on you, isn't that a robot.
Is a wheelchair with assisted steering a robot?

Or are you just fixated on rubber women with big boobs and moving lips. Is a animated electrical mechanical fake human female mid section blob of rubber a robot?

[blackhawks]

So my answer was more than you were looking for and more on the mark than I thought it might be.

How is the U.S military involved in robotics for battlefield use?

Sources
Answer

The U.S. military is heavily involved in developing and integrating robotics for battlefield use, with a focus on enhancing combat capabilities while reducing risks to human soldiers. Here are some key aspects of the military's involvement in battlefield robotics:

Research and Development

The U.S. Army is actively researching and developing various robotic systems for military applications. This includes:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance and surveillance2

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for tasks like logistics, mine detection, and combat support23

Autonomous systems equipped with artificial intelligence for decision-making and data processing10

The Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program includes the development of Robotic Combat Vehicles (RCVs)6. Initially planned as three variants (Light, Medium, and Heavy), the program has now focused on a single vehicle approach with a common chassis6.

Integration into Military Formations

The Army is working on integrating robotic systems into human-machine formations, known as human-machine integrated formations (H-MIF)410. This initiative aims to:

Have robots make first contact with the enemy, reducing risks to human soldiers4
Enhance situational awareness and decision-making capabilities10
Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of military operations10

Testing and Experimentation

The military conducts extensive testing and experimentation to evaluate the effectiveness of robotic systems in combat scenarios:

Project Convergence, a large-scale exercise at Fort Irwin, California, tested various robotic systems in realistic combat scenarios47

The Army plans to receive prototypes from four competing teams (McQ, Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Oshkosh Defense) in the summer of 2024 for further evaluation6

Deployment and Future Plans

While many robotic systems are still in the experimental stage, some are already being deployed or planned for near-future use:

As of 2008, there were about 12,000 robots of nearly two dozen varieties operating on the ground in Iraq11
The Army intends to field the first Robotic Combat Vehicle unit in FY2028, following a production decision scheduled for FY20276

Future plans include integrating robotic systems into various military units, from small foot patrols to larger formations7

Challenges and Considerations
The military faces several challenges in implementing robotic systems:

Ethical considerations regarding autonomous decision-making in combat situations7

Technical limitations, such as the need for improved off-road autonomy and better network capabilities10

Ensuring that robotic systems can operate effectively in diverse and complex battlefield environments7

In conclusion, the U.S. military is deeply involved in developing, testing, and integrating robotic systems for battlefield use, with the goal of enhancing combat capabilities while reducing risks to human soldiers. This effort spans various types of robotic systems and involves significant research, experimentation, and strategic planning for future military operations.