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This Massive Robot Could Soon Join Marines on the Battlefield
Defense One ^ | November 21, 2013 | Alexis Madrigal

Posted on 11/24/2013 7:22:48 AM PST by Star Traveler

The future doesn't always arrive with a gasp and a boom like Skynet inTerminator. No, sometimes it's more like Office Space.

At least that's the idea I get watching this video of the Marines' testing the Legged Squad Support System. DARPA built the LS3 to act as an autonomous pack horse that "can carry 400 lbs of a squad’s load, follow squad members through rugged terrain and interact with troops in a natural way, similar to a trained animal and its handler."

And yet, in the hands of real Marines, it sounds like they're testing a new network printer out, or maybe putting the office fob system through its paces.

(Excerpt) Read more at defenseone.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: banglist; darpa; ls3; marines; robots; skynet
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To: Star Traveler

Evolution of the “Big Dog” robot. It’s a lot more agile than most here think, probably equivalent to a pack mule at least. Go back and look at the footage of Big Dog dealing with ice and rubble.

Also, although it’s loud (for now), and needs gas (more expensive than fodder), it does have several advantages over mules:

It can be armored, and is less likely to be injured (and can be repaired onsite if it is).

It will not be frightened by gunfire.

It can operate unhindered in an NBC environment.

It can run on ordinary fuel which can be siphoned from other military vehicles in a pinch, and so does not need a separate supply chain.

It will never get tired; as long as it has gas it will keep moving.

In an emergency, it can navigate autonomously, such as evacuating a casualty. To go even further, in that capacity it can be equipped to transmit vitals to the waiting medics so they can treat/triage more effectively.

It can be ordered into a fire zone, either as a distraction or a shield, if need be.


41 posted on 11/24/2013 8:26:59 AM PST by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Engine exhaust is methane.


42 posted on 11/24/2013 8:27:07 AM PST by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededicaton to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution...)
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To: Star Traveler

Looks like a single well-placed AK round could disable this REALLY expensive toy.


43 posted on 11/24/2013 8:27:24 AM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: NTHockey

44 posted on 11/24/2013 8:30:54 AM PST by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: Star Traveler
Back in my day these were Marine mules:

 photo MarineMules_zps4aca63fc.jpg

45 posted on 11/24/2013 8:37:42 AM PST by 2111USMC (Aim Small Miss Small)
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To: Star Traveler

It will be assigned to carry gear for Marines who weigh less than 125 lbs.


46 posted on 11/24/2013 8:38:36 AM PST by SC_Pete
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To: Star Traveler

I agree with the posts on this thread that this is a noisy, expensive, logistical headache of a nightmare. Why don’t they mount a red rotating beacon on the thing atop a 20’ mast? That way even the deaf know it’s coming.

Just so stupid, why on God’s earth would a premier fighting force want a noise maker like this? Whatever is pushing this idiocy is not related to common sense.

When the VC wanted to move heavy supplies, I believe they were loaded on bicycles and pushed. No noise, and easier than carrying.

And like others mentions, mules, noiseless, easy to feed, and can be eaten.


47 posted on 11/24/2013 8:39:42 AM PST by redfreedom (All it takes for evil to win is for good people to do nothing - that's how the left took over.)
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To: Star Traveler

48 posted on 11/24/2013 8:43:23 AM PST by Evil Slayer ((Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war....))
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To: SC_Pete

Too late. That position is already delegated. Starting from every E-1 through at least E-3, we have been doing that for decades. The truly sad part is, the females just take it as a given, and you are viewed as an arse’ole if you try to make any noise about it.


49 posted on 11/24/2013 8:45:36 AM PST by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the mooslimbs trying to kill them-)
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To: 3Fingas

That depends on how you define work.

W = F * d [work = force times distance]

I’ll let you figure out how to use force and distance with her...


50 posted on 11/24/2013 8:50:59 AM PST by EEGator
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To: Utilizer

A fighting unit is only as strong as its weakest link. Political correctness is going to kill soldiers.


51 posted on 11/24/2013 8:58:53 AM PST by SC_Pete
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To: MV=PY

You HAVE to post this at the original site and any other place the military has an article. The guys will love it and need to be able to laugh out loud. Thanks for that.


52 posted on 11/24/2013 9:36:59 AM PST by huldah1776
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To: EEGator

Yes. That is an experiment I would not mind conducting. In the interest of science, of course.


53 posted on 11/24/2013 9:47:32 AM PST by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededicaton to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution...)
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To: 3Fingas

Of course.


54 posted on 11/24/2013 9:52:05 AM PST by EEGator
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To: SC_Pete

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3094857/posts


55 posted on 11/24/2013 9:54:35 AM PST by TurboZamboni (Marx smelled bad & lived with his parents most his life.)
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To: Star Traveler

Probably 95% of the parts will be made in China, so the thing will break down within minutes and will be designed to do so by the Chinese - or they will embed the ability to take control of them.


56 posted on 11/24/2013 9:55:34 AM PST by howlinhound (Live your life so that, when you get up in the morning, Satan says, "Oh Crap!..He's awake" - Unknown)
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To: KC_Lion

Time to break out the mini nukes.


57 posted on 11/24/2013 9:56:44 AM PST by TADSLOS (The Event Horizon has come and gone. Buckle up and hang on.)
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To: Little Pig

-— It can be ordered into a fire zone, either as a distraction or a shield, if need be -—

Yes. It’s a remarkable engineering feat.


58 posted on 11/24/2013 10:07:01 AM PST by St_Thomas_Aquinas ( Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: 2111USMC

And they could be loaded with a pile of ammo crates/boxes!

Plus, if one tire went flat, you could pile more weight on the opposite corner and keep on truckin'....carefully!

MECHANICAL MULES OF AMERICA, INC.

M274 A5
WILL CLIMB A 60% SLOPE
WILL TRAVERSE A 40% HILL
WILL CARRY A 1,000 LB. LOAD
WILL OPERATE ON/OFF ROAD IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS
CAN BE TRANSPORTED IN A FULL SIZE PICK-UP TRUCK BED

2 Wheel Steering - 4 Wheel Drive
With Aluminum Bed, Portal Axle Housings, and Wheels
Full Electric System, New Data Plates
$11,800.00

(Full Disclosure: I have NOTHING to do with this website. I just now found it while looking for specs on the M274 Mule. However, if they want to pay a commission for every sale this post generates, please apply it to the payment of MY Mule!)

:-)

59 posted on 11/24/2013 10:20:27 AM PST by BwanaNdege (Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. J.F. Kennedy)
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To: EEGator

They’re just built that way.


60 posted on 11/24/2013 10:26:52 AM PST by Lee'sGhost (Johnny Rico picked the wrong girl!)
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