Say hello to the 21st century soldier

[KC Jones]

Next year, the U.S. Army will give robots machine guns, although humans will firmly be in control of them.

The Army next March will begin to deploy Talon robots from Waltham, Mass.-based Foster-Miller. The robots will be mounted with M240 or M249 machine guns, said a Foster-Miller spokesman. The units also can be mounted with a rocket launcher. Defense agencies have been testing an armed version of the Talon since 2003.

http://news.com.com/Army+to+deploy+r...l?tag=nefd.top



I'm sure the guys in Baghdad would prefer to have one of these go around a corner and look for the sniper.

[Rain Man]

This is just how the Terminator movie started.


Seriously, though, this is really cool, and it's an obvious next step in the evolution of the soldier.

[KC Jones]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

This is just how the Terminator movie started.


Seriously, though, this is really cool, and it's an obvious next step in the evolution of the soldier.

I don't know that we'll ever be able to replace a having "boots on the ground", but tools like these are going to be able for us to avoid putting our guys in as much danger. I read something a while back about a prototype surveilance robot that rolls up into a ball the size of a grenade so a soldier can throw it into a window, then it uncoils and can manuver through a building sending back video feeds - including night vision.

[ChiefsCountry]

I thought this was going to be the new solider:


Kellen Winslow GI Joe

[Eleazar]

That is really cool.

The 'insurgent' Raiders bags are welcome to kill themselves trying to blow one of these up.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by KC Jones

I don't know that we'll ever be able to replace a having "boots on the ground", but tools like these are going to be able for us to avoid putting our guys in as much danger. I read something a while back about a prototype surveilance robot that rolls up into a ball the size of a grenade so a soldier can throw it into a window, then it uncoils and can manuver through a building sending back video feeds - including night vision.

I agree that there's a lot of stuff that you need a sentient being for, but these can be used in a lot of other types of situations, including cruising through buildings to clear out Islamic terrorists - er, the enemy.

That recon thingie sounds pretty cool.

[Iowanian]

I could see these as valuable Tools, but not a replacement for Soldiers..........the Military is obviously trying to find Job for "nintendo-thumb-Americans".

My brother carries a 240b...says it weighs 30lbs and will saw down a stone wall.

I think it would be great if they could kick in a door and send one of those in first, or peak around corners and blind spots...............Or drive it over to the hiding spot of the enemy and let them have it.

night vision, heat sensors...............Excellent Recon.........Silent....Deadly...Safe for OUR guys.

[alpha_omega]

Technology is wonderful.

[ROYC75]

Is some cases, OK, but how damn elusive is that dame thing, seems like an easy target to hit.

Sounds real damn expensive to me.