Meet Russia’s new killer robot tank Wheres America's?? Or Australia's for that matter...we used to be leaders in drone tech...Did you know that Russia's economy is the same size as Australia's? (Pop: 144 mill vs 24 million) So...wheres ours!? The country is called Russia CAC...Ooops, is it?
The Chinese are apparently working on it pretty heavily as well. SeeL Armor: China Seeks Robotic Primacy There are some serious issues yet to be resolved though. I wouldn't expect decent ground drones to show up for quite a while.
They would still make great sentinels...perimeter security...or even set like a clamor...most issues have already been resolved by other associated areas/businesses. Non military in other words. If you can fly drones, a tank is easy...the only drawback is terrain, we already have all terrain vehicles...and one would obviously avoid any terain that couldn’t be tackled, much like the enemy. This is the future, a small military like Australia should be going gang busters on producing as many of these (types) of vehicles and aircraft and ocean/submarine craft as possible...
The terrain issue is the big one and the problem is making good use of terrain. You or I could stand on a given piece of terrain and identify good positions, bad positions, and ones worthy of further investigation in fairly short order. Someone with a decent amount of experience in armored warfare can do so better and quicker. Having a tank evaluate such a position on it's own is computationally intensive and often a good way from optimal. Controlling the tank remotely also has some significant issues
Interesting take...and I think I will have to agree with you...Choppers have/are replacing Tanks...and if you have a long loitering time on your "plane" drones, then even a helo is not needed. Loitering time is the key here though...a small light tank can "sit" camouflaged...almost indefinitely. Sensors (sound/vibration etc etc) could detect an approaching helicopter, vehicle, or troops and activate the tank into action, either autominoulsy or sound an alarm back at base for a "driver" to take control. Lets face it, these types will be autominous. These could also be small and light enough to "drop" from a transport in almost any location. I can see these vehicles doing most combat jobs without the need for (food/water etc) - Working together as a fire team - each with a different weapon system...and the awesome problem of friendly casualties pretty much negated! They may not replace many if any existing platforms, but makes a good first port of call for a general...decisions will be made that wouldn't have been made in the past as the fear of casualties has gone. These platforms could have many 3D printer parts made and even robots created to build these extra fast and cheaply...
Russia's economy is also only 58% the size of the State of California's, which has a population of 39.5 million. I'd guess that the biggest issue with operating drone tanks autonomously would be target identification, determining if the target is friend or foe. Where's America? We actually have the technology to navigate and move, but that's not the hard part. Remotely operated, where a human has some control is easily doable, totally autonomous is not. Terramax is an autonomous driving system that, mounted on Marine Corps MTVR's had already logged thousands of miles when this video was made back in 2013. There is currently limited fielding of this with test units. The US Army has also tested the system and they're looking at widespread fielding around 2025. I would think friendly fire casualties would be exacerbated, any time an autonomous drone tank would be operating in an environment shared by friendly troops and civilians. You can have all the high tech sensors in the world, but if you're unable to deconflict and determine shoot/don't shoot what good are you? I'd also think that the enemy's first counter would be attempts at blurring the ability to perform IFF. In Afghanistan the Taliban and Al Queda, once they acquired some IR Flags managed to hinder night time strikes by aircraft and drones. The IR Flags were originally intended to prevent fratricide because they had high contrast when illuminated by infared light but low contrast and unnoticeable in the visual light spectrum and were used to identify friendly forces.The ROE precluded engaging targets displaying the appropriate IR Flags. Once the enemy acquired them from ISAF casualties or on the black market, they could move freely at night because they appeared to be friendlies and we wouldn't engage.
All good points...however, I think the autominous side maybe a little off from now, but am confident the future tech on this will blow both our minds...also, I think we were thinking different roles. As a roving tank, I would completely recommend remote control by human...not so much for travel but certainly for combat...for now. Remembering also that if it’s remotely operated there’s the real risk of the signal being blocked deliberately or by terrain, worse the signal,could be corrupted... But when I wrote the above my mind was in a semi arid to forest scenario, where it sits on low energy mode, passive sensors only. It, or drone aircraft have dropped and even placed (or special forces could place) further sensors for both sound and vibration in and around the immediate terrain around the drone...this is a sentinel, an area denial weapon or perimeter defence weapon...it’s placed deep in enemy territory ( or in the case of perimeter defence programmed to shoot outwards only...and soldiers are told not to go beyond a certain point in camp...just like if you booby trapped a perimeter today. If it’s deep,in enemy territory it would only need basic rules before enagement...like the boots walking nearby are carrying something, or travelling in too great a number, or given it may be in a designated war zone (don’t just think the Middle East here) then it’s open slather on anyone trying to pass...walking, driving or flying. It could be air dropped in, even by another flying drone...and it takes up the most strategic spot providing cover...and waits. This scenario I was thinking about...and an alarm could sound back at base so that a human operator could take over and suss the sitch...or it could be autominous in THIS type of scenerio...IMO of course. Thinking about it...there’s actually a movie that illustrates this...remember in The Empire Strikes Back, on planet Hoth...a sentinel drone picks up Han on its sensors and springs to life, not only going into hunting mode but begins transimmitting back to base...a little geeky, but an example non-the less...
Corrupted...Worst case, the signal is co-opted, and robotank is used against it's owners. Oh snap! Query...How many civilians will it kill before it kills a soldier...Probably quite a few. Likely a few farm animals thrown in for shnits and grins. Yeah, and it got popped by a pistol...Besides we have had such passive sensors since Vietnam, course they did not move, but they are a much cheaper and viable option for what you are envisioning.
I've read that the Israeli's are using them but in the very limited role of defending their border wall.
Not corrupted if autominous... also have fail safes so that the electronics melt (for example) if it changes it’s locked in orders...my point was remote controlled is not the future autonomy is... As I said the recognition tech on its way is sophisticated and getting more so...if as I said it was in a designated war zone then yes any civilians in the area may (for now) be shot at...not too different to now...but the lack of recognition can be pretty rough even today. I say can be, I’m not painting all situations or groups like that, just that it happens today. Australian bombers accidentally hit a civilian/s no too long ago... I put it to you that in 20 years the recognition tech will exceed or far exceed those of humans...I think correct recognition will become a strength on the drones rather than a weakness... It got popped by a pistol because it was up against Han Solo...and Hollywood.
This article has a pretty good summary of the current situation. Includes the possibility of a MacPherson. Weapons: Russian Droids Rush To Syria *** edit for *** In case you aren't familiar with the reference: in prose see: Jamie Macpherson - Wikipedia in song:
