Armed robots called MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) and hi-tech soldier gear called "Land Warrior" are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan in an effort to decrease the allied casualties and increase allied effectiveness.

MAARS are addition to the SWORD ("special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system") and TALON robots that have been previously used in combat.  These specialized robots have been designed and created by Foster-Miller for use in combat areas.   TALON robots are the least lethal of the group.  These robots were first used in Bosnia to dispose of live grenades.  They were also used at ground zero after 9/11 for search and rescue missions.  TALONs are fast, have long battery life, can climb stairs and rock piles, and can survive being blown off of a Humvee.

SWORD robots are the initial armed robots sent to Iraq in 2007.  These robots are can be outfitted with M240 or M249 rifles. SWORDS carrying grenade launchers and anti-rocket launchers are currently being evaluated by combat forces.

MAARS have a sleeker more compact build than the SWORDs.  MAARS are the newest of Foster-Millers deadly creations and "uses the more powerful M240B medium machine gun and has significant improvements in command and control, situational awareness, maneuverability, mobility, lethality and safety compared to its SWORDS predecessor." These robots also have a larger payload and easier access to internal components for repair and upgrade.  The "modular" aspect of the MAARS allows the gun to be replaced with a robotic arm that could conceivably carry a wounded soldier off the battlefield.

All three of these robots are remotely controlled by joysticks and a heavy duty laptop.  The robots can be sent into extremely dangerous situations.  SWORD and MAARS robots were specifically created to allow soldiers to remotely fire on targets that would be too treacherous to approach in person.  As such, these machines should save allied lives while continuing to take out dangerous enemies.

Another innovation intended to put our soldiers at an advantage is the Land Warrior program.  The program was initially designed to create a hi-tech uniform that included specialized gun scopes, radios, and GPS systems.  The total package weighed 15 pounds and was roundly denounced by the troops who initially wore all of the gear.  In October of 2006, the program was discontinued.  However, the soldiers using the equipment, the "4/9 — known since the early 1900’s as the "Manchus," for their fighting in China", began making modifications of Land Warrior so that the gear would be lighter weight and more effectively used.  The soldiers got rid of about 15 pounds of the equipment, including the specialized scope.  Only "team leaders and above" were the only ones assigned to actually wear the stuff.    Modifications to the software and the addition of "digital chem lights" that showed enemy targets and escape routes in green were made to the gear.  With the modifications, deletions and additions that the soldiers had suggested and tried out working, additional units are asking for the equipment and the program is being revived.

All of these innovations are geared towards increasing the safety and effectiveness of allied troops.  With the increasing length of troop deployments along with the increased frequency of troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, these robots and specialized equipment can only be seen as badly needed improvements.

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Entry was posted on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 10:35 pm under Robotics, Science and technology, Technology.

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