To say wars of the future will be fought solely by robots sounds like a sweeping prediction by a sci-fi movie director -- that is, until you realize our military already uses robots in warfare. For years, drones and ground-based robots have been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, so this next recruit should come as no surprise.
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The U.S. Army is sending four Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) robotic jeeps to Afghanistan where their mission will be to haul supplies for soldiers and test how autonomous robots can benefit troops.
Designed and manufactured by global security company, Lockheed Martin, the jeeps are 11-feet long with a half ton carrying capacity and capable of transporting supplies for up to 125 miles.
SMSS sensors allow the vehicles to maneuver autonomously by locking-on to a soldier's digital 3-D profile or by following GPS coordinates. They can also be tele-operated and, if needed, driven manually.
“SMSS is the result of more than a decade of robotic technology development, and we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate this capability in theater, where it can have an immediate impact at the squad level,” said Scott Greene, vice president of ground vehicles in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business in a company news release. “The Army has tested the system’s capabilities in three domestic user assessments, and SMSS has been deemed ready to deploy.”
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The four vehicles and a field service representative will support light infantry as part of a three-month military utility assessment. A fifth vehicle, along with an engineering team will remain in the U.S. for analysis and extra support. The Army plans to roll out the jeeps later this year.
[Via DefenseTech]
Tags: Auto, Concept Cars, Military Vehicles, Transportation, Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles
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