The United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is currently assessing a new breed of robotic “dogs” developed by Ghost Robotics, which could potentially be armed with weapon systems from defence tech company Onyx Industries, as reported by The War Zone.
While MARSOC is conducting trials of Ghost Robotics’ quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (referred to as “Q-UGVs“) for various purposes such as reconnaissance and surveillance, the prospect of outfitting them with weaponry for remote engagement is garnering significant attention. This concept isn’t entirely unprecedented, as the US Marine Corps has previously tested robotic dogs equipped with rocket launchers.
MARSOC currently has two armed Q-UGVs in its possession for testing, confirmed by Onyx Industries personnel. These armed Q-UGVs are equipped with gun systems based on Onyx’s SENTRY remote weapon system (RWS), which boasts an AI-enhanced digital imaging system capable of automatically detecting and tracking people, drones, or vehicles. The system then relays potential targets to a remote human operator, enabling human-in-the-loop control for decision-making regarding firing actions. It’s important to note that the system cannot autonomously decide to engage targets.
In response to inquiries from The War Zone, MARSOC emphasizes that the evaluation of weaponized payloads is just one aspect of the broader assessment of potential use cases. MARSOC clarifies that comments made by Onyx Industries should not be interpreted as a singular focus on weaponization, as the command is examining various applications of the technology. Furthermore, MARSOC affirms its compliance with all Department of Defense policies concerning autonomous weapons.
The exploration of armed robotic dogs reflects a growing interest in utilizing small robotic unmanned ground vehicles for military purposes. While unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been delivering lethal force under human command for years, the emergence of affordable robotic quadrupeds has spurred experimentation with mounting weapons onto them.
The possibility of deploying armed robotic dogs, even under human oversight, raises profound questions about the future of warfare, including ethical considerations and potential risks associated with increasingly autonomous weapons systems. Moreover, there are concerns about the potential domestic use of similar remote weapons systems by law enforcement agencies.
As technology progresses, there’s a possibility that these systems could become more autonomous over time, challenging the extent of human involvement in decision-making processes, particularly in kinetic operations. While armed robotic systems like Q-UGVs hold promise for enhancing reconnaissance and security capabilities while reducing risks to human personnel, it’s imperative to address ethical concerns and ensure adherence to established policies and international law.
