Armed ground robots

[netmouse]

remotely-operated ground vehicles (robots) with guns are being deployed in Iraq. How'd you like to face down a robot with an M-249 machine gun? Or a grenade launcher? The program calls them "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action systems" (SWORDS). So far they have not been in a firefight. Yet.

Comments

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

Robocop, here we come. How would you like to be pulled over on the freeway by one?

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Not sure, I might prefer to face them than humans. At least if I was a "good guy". The operators can afford to take risks not reasonable for people directly present to take, and that extra flexibility *can* be used to reduce risks to non-combatants in the area.

[speedygeo.livejournal.com]

Ah, an arena I have some basic experience in. I trained at Fort Benning, GA to be an 11-Bravo, Infantryman. Tools like this will save lives if the personnel using them are trained. I would question how durable the device is under fire, but I would still rather have it take a couple of rounds instead of me even with body armor.

I read some of the ill-informed masses postings on there. I love that they run to the concept of 'we just push a button and send these things out the door'. There is still the human condition. Not sure if that's a blessing or a curse, only time will tell.

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

In pondering this overnight, can the robot remove a blanket dropped on its head? A blind robot might be a sitting duck.