Drone_pilot
03-08-07, 17:35
Robots have been roaming the streets of Iraq, since shortly after the war
began. Now, for the first time -- the first time in any warzone -- the
machines are carrying guns.
After years of development, three "special weapons observation remote
reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) robots have deployed to
Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots "haven't fired their weapons
yet," Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM.
"But that'll be happening soon."
The SWORDS -- modified versions of bomb-disposal robots used throughout
Iraq -- were first declared ready for duty back in 2004. But concerns about
safety kept the robots from being sent over the the battlefield. The
machines had a tendency to spin out of control from time to time. That was
an annoyance during ordnance-handling missions; no one wanted to
contemplate the consequences during a firefight.
Wired Read More (http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/08/httpwwwnational.html)
began. Now, for the first time -- the first time in any warzone -- the
machines are carrying guns.
After years of development, three "special weapons observation remote
reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) robots have deployed to
Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots "haven't fired their weapons
yet," Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM.
"But that'll be happening soon."
The SWORDS -- modified versions of bomb-disposal robots used throughout
Iraq -- were first declared ready for duty back in 2004. But concerns about
safety kept the robots from being sent over the the battlefield. The
machines had a tendency to spin out of control from time to time. That was
an annoyance during ordnance-handling missions; no one wanted to
contemplate the consequences during a firefight.
Wired Read More (http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/08/httpwwwnational.html)