Little Helpers

[Panzerkommandant]

Is there anything planned for robots? Like spybots or little suicide bots? The US military is using robots in Iraq and CMSF is suposed to play in the near future, so robots would be a weapon, which could proove to be effective. Especially for reconaissance. But also for clearing single buildings with a robot controll soldier who would then deploy it.

So will there be robots or something in that sort of thing?

[hellfish]

IIRC Steve mentioned that there would be some Company-level UAVs, but not UGVs.

[Battlefront.com]

We're not planning any for the first release. Currently the use of robotics is rather limited and therefore used sparingly. Also, it is not clear how useful some of these devices will be in an intense, fast moving offensive operation. Packbot, for example, offers soldier an excellent way to investigate a building for insurgents. It might not be able to complete its mission (locked doors, significant debris, etc.) or do so in a timely manner. Remember that counter insurgency operations usually have time on their side. Clearing a single house might involve a company sized force operating to take that one objective over a period of hours. That simply isn't within CM's timeframe.

We do have UAVs, though, since these are common recon elements now-a-days. Especially with Stryker formations.

Steve

[Jaska.]

How would an UAV work, gamewise ? You get this little thingy in the sky that you can control, or ?

[Panzerkommandant]

Ok, no robototics, but how it works would interrest me aswell.

Would it work like for example reconaissance planes in the other CMs? Just that you could call them in on scratch and not hope for them like in the old ones. So use a spotter, or will they be connected to the whole company like arty and air support (like discussed in a nother topic).

[akd]

Here is an update on the SWORDS program from the '06 NDIA Small Arms conference:

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/zecca.pdf

During the live-fire demo of the system at the conference, the thing actually malfunctioned on the firing line and started backing up and rotating with a loaded 240B on board (the weapon was safe).

Operational Needs Statement (ONS) System

Characteristics

** SWORDS weapon system options include:

M249, M240, M107, M203, 12 gauge shotgun, AT-4,and SMAW

- SWORDS Spiral 1 will mount the M249

** Follow-on safety testing will include the M240

** SWORDS is operated by a single Soldier with remote computer unit from up to

1,000 meters

- SWORDS Spiral 1 will operate up to 400-800 meters LOS; 100-200 meters NLOS

- SWORDS Spiral 1 will carry 5.56/7.62mm ammunition, weigh approximately 200

pounds, battery life of 2-4 hours, and max speed of 2-5 MPH

Operational Concept

** SWORDS Spiral 1 will be used to find, fix, and finish the enemy

...

Combat units will begin receiving SWORDS this summer

Reconnaissance & Surveillance

Scenario Description:

- Primary Role is early detection/ warning of

enemy activity

- Supports dismounted R&S operations

- Can engage enemy targets if necessary

(M249/M240 MG)

- Operator and OCU are located within

several hundred meters of robot

- Operator maintains line of sight with robot

through alley ways/roads

- Expected mission duration is 2-4 hours

[ September 01, 2006, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: akd ]

[LongLeftFlank]

"DROP YOUR WEAPON! YOU HAVE TWENTY SECONDS TO COMPLY! ..... YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS! .... YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS!"

[Mayhem]

"Dick! I'm VERY disappointed!"

[Battlefront.com]

UAV will be controlled in a similar manner as Air Support. Check back a week or so and you'll find a detailed thread about that.

I personally don't have much faith in the current ability of robots to perform recon roles worth much. It would be SOOOOOOO easy to knock out the SWORDS robot or simply jam it from transmitting. Without overwatch it would seem of limited value.

Where I do see great value for robots is when you pretty much know where the enemy is and you want to get him to move or otherwise expose himself. For example, caves in Afghanistan. Send a robot in there and if someone shoots at it, fine... just confirms you want to send in an AT-4 and not a Squad.

Also, the typical problems with US weapons procurement is seen again with SWORDS. How much does one of those things cost to make and field? A LOT. Because they are so vulnerable commanders won't want to use them for fear of not having them for some more critical job or because of all the paper work they have to submit after it is lost. Second guessing is pretty normal, especially when the item lost is worth more than the whole company's soldiers are paid in a year!

Small, cheap robots that are easy to maintain, use, and keep at the front are what are needed. SWORDS definitely isn't!

Steve

[dan/california]

Their is a modified remote control truck that I have seen on the web. I believe it is being used primarily By EOD teams, but sometimes just getting a simple camera around the next corner is very useful.

Link

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/dragon-runner.htm