US robot warriors to head for Iraq in spring
ISN SECURITY WATCH (24/01/05) - Eighteen robot warriors equipped with
cameras and operated by remote control are scheduled for deployment
in Iraq this spring, where they are expected to by used by the US
military to help fight insurgents, the US Army reported late last
week. The 1-meter high robots are based on a previously designed
robot warrior, the Talon, used to disarm bombs. According to the US
Army, the robot soldier, known as the SWORD (Special Weapons
Observation Reconnaissance Detection Systems), will be fitted with
automatic rifles and will be capable of tracking enemies swiftly.
SWORDS will be operated by human soldiers, who will order the robot
to fire by remote control. According to the BBC, the robot warrior
has four cameras with night-vision and zoom capabilities, can travel
over rocks and barbed wire, and can run on batteries for up to four
hours. The remote control device has two joysticks and a video
screen. The robot soldiers cost US$200’000 each. The SWORD will be
the first robot soldier used in actual combat situations. Their
deployment is expected in March or April, according to The Associated
Press.
Reading: The System of the World, part III of the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson
Listening to: Zornik, Zita Swoon, Gabriel Rios, Novastar, Stash & Ozark Henry (Belgian Nouvelle Vague!)
Thinking: Full Moon, Bright Stars, Lotsa snow and a murdered sheep
Travelling: to and fro Paris
Last picture: Shoah (Documentary) - in commemoration of the Liberation of Auschwitz, 60 years ago
