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AI-Guided Armed Anti-Drone Robotic Dogs Are Being Tested in the Middle East

Photo: U.s. Army
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The U.S. Army has introduced a new combat technology in the Middle East, testing AI-controlled robotic dogs equipped with weapons to counter drones. The most concerning aspect of this new product is its ability to perform autonomous targeting.

According to Military.com, the U.S. Army has deployed at least one advanced robotic dog, known as Lone Wolf, at the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center in Saudi Arabia. This facility, a collaborative research venture between the United States and Saudi Arabia, was inaugurated only recently and has been at the forefront of designing counter-drone technologies.

These robotic dogs, now produced by Ghost Robotics—recently acquired by South Korean owners—are equipped with both weaponry and artificial intelligence. They are being trialed as part of the Army's growing anti-drone arsenal.

While a U.S. Army representative confirmed to Military.com that the Lone Wolf is just one of several such devices being evaluated, no precise details were disclosed. However, experts have expressed unease at the prospect of an autonomous, AI-guided robotic dog armed for combat, calling its presence both ominous and disquieting.

The U.S. Department of Defense has integrated robotic dogs into its combat units for years, utilizing them in various tasks ranging from bomb disposal and perimeter security to intelligence gathering and surveillance operations.

While the exact link between AI and the weapon systems on these robots remains unclear, previous trials suggest that the technology controls a turret-based firing mechanism, previously employed for shooting down drones, as reported by Futurism. Additionally, Ghost Robotics' robotic dogs have been used by Israel in its long-standing operation in Gaza.

The deployment of robots on the battlefield has sparked significant debate. In April 2023, Philadelphia-based media outlet WHYY reported that Ghost Robotics, headquartered in Pennsylvania, faced protests due to its collaboration with the Israeli military.

U.S. Air Force pilots are also training with the new Vision 60 robotic dog at Minot Air Force Base. It is being used in certain situations to replace fighters, support personnel, and sentry dogs.
U.S. Air Force pilots are also training with the new Vision 60 robotic dog at Minot Air Force Base. It is being used in certain situations to replace fighters, support personnel, and sentry dogs. Photo: Alysa Knott / U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force and Navy have also signed contracts with Ghost Robotics to equip their forces with AI-armed robotic dogs. The Navy has even collaborated with several companies to develop specialized weapon systems for these robots.

Although it is unclear when or if these armed robotic dogs will be deployed in actual combat, an Army representative has stated that these trials aim to explore new possibilities for developing future capabilities.

Recent photos released by the U.S. Department of Defense media platform show the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 quadruped unmanned ground vehicle (Q-UGV), equipped with a turret-mounted AR-15/M16-style rifle. This device was tested in mid-September at the Red Sands center in Saudi Arabia as part of a drone defense exercise.

The U.S. Army's experiments with robotic dogs and AI-guided weapon systems clearly indicate the future of military technology, where artificial intelligence and machines could literally operate on the battlefield without human involvement. However, the use of such systems raises significant ethical concerns and differing opinions.

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