This Massive Robot Could Soon Join Marines on the Battlefield

Defense One ^ | November 21, 2013 | Alexis Madrigal

[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.

[Star Traveler]

Is "Skynet" on its way? ... :-) ...

[KC_Lion]

Is it Three Laws Safe?

Or will it go Cylon on our Marines?

[JoeProBono]

[KC_Lion]

It has nothing on Liberty Prime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=298Cw3_qGwE

[Gaffer]

I wonder what the Robot-to-mule cost ratio is?

[Lurker]

Seems to me that horses or mules might make more sense in some circumstances.

[fwdude]

Maybe they can program it to sing out marching Jodies while on the move.

[corkoman]

Mules are robust - yes they smell but are much quieter than those headless robots. And if you get stuck you can eat them. Those robots are yukky.

[US_MilitaryRules]

And what does it do when there is a mud hole? Sink!

[Mr. Jeeves]

Yeah, like in the current circumstance where the US is broke and can’t afford a 2 million dollar device to do a job 10% better than a $20 mule. :)

[EEGator]

Cylons aren't all "bad".

[BenLurkin]

until they learn to make these types of things silent — no combat unit is going to want one along.

[Joe 6-pack]

Two key things mentioned in the video are using these to evacuate casualties, leaving, "more Marines in the fight," and taking weight off the backs of Marines.

My questions...how many Marines will be taken out of the fight to maintain and service these, and who's going to pack and resupply the fuel? It looks like it has a gasoline engine, and the walking motion has to be far less fuel efficient than wheels...

...once you add in the logistics chain for fuel, spare parts, and maintenance, I question how much of a gain this really would be over an actual pack mule that can pretty much graze its own fuel in many operating environments.

[nascarnation]

Marvelous structure...

[BenLurkin]

Oh, that one was bad. Very bad.....in a very good sort of way.

[Cen-Tejas]

............would have got a lot more Nam Vets killed because patrols demanded absolute silence, in some cases hand signals. Plus, it could not have made it through the jungles.

I’n Afghanistan too, I think “silence” and “stealth” are much in demand. I’m no expert. Maybe we have a vet with some combat experience that is?

[a fool in paradise]

Flying cars and robuts. Someday. Maybe.

[KC_Lion]

:)

[Joe 6-pack]

I really have to LOL at the locations of the tear gas outlets and the engine exhaust....

[KC_Lion]

I call it... A "Securitrion"