Robotic dogs have entered the battlefield in Ukraine, adding a futuristic element to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Known as “robo-fidos,” these machines, developed by the British company Brit Alliance, are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and remote-sensing technology.
Ukraine has deployed more than 30 of these robotic units, referred to as BAD2, as part of its efforts to integrate advanced technology into its military operations.
The dogs can move at speeds of up to 9 mph for five hours and carry more than 15 pounds of equipment or ammunition. Initially designed for reconnaissance and logistical support, Ukrainian commanders have indicated they may upgrade the units to execute “kamikaze” attacks on Russian soldiers and vehicles.
Although the BAD2 units are currently used for non-offensive roles, it’s not far-fetched to imagine the Ukrainians taking a more aggressive approach. Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to innovate, using drones equipped with flamethrowers to target Russian positions.
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A similar robotic dog model, the Thermonator, is developed by Ohio-based company Throwflame. Priced at around $10,000, the Thermonator is equipped with a flamethrower and designed for industrial tasks like wildfire control and snow removal. While developed by different companies for separate purposes, the potential for weaponization draws a clear parallel between the two robots.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, these robotic dogs could play a larger role, both in logistical support and direct combat. Ukraine’s ability to adapt technology for the battlefield has proven vital, and these machines may soon be another tool in its expanding tech-driven warfare strategy.
Ryan Robertson
ROBOTIC DOGS ARE NOW ON THE BATTLEFIELD IN UKRAINE, BRINGING ANOTHER FUTURISTIC TWIST TO MODERN WARFARE. DEVELOPED BY THE BRITISH COMPANY BRIT ALLIANCE, THERE ARE OVER 30 OF THESE “ROBO-FIDOS” BEING USED AS PART OF UKRAINE’S EFFORTS TO INCORPORATE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTO ITS FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIA.
EQUIPPED WITH THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS AND REMOTE-SENSING TECHNOLOGY, THE BAD-2 UNITS WON’T BE SETTING ANY RECORDS AT THE TRACK, BUT THEY CAN STILL MOVE AT ABOUT 9 MPH FOR UP TO FIVE HOURS, WHILE CARRYING MORE THAN 15 POUNDS OF EQUIPMENT OR AMMUNITION.
WHILE THESE ROBOTIC DOGS WERE INITIALLY DESIGNED FOR LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND RECONNAISSANCE, UKRAINIAN COMMANDERS ARE HINTING AT PLANS TO UPGRADE THEM FOR MORE AGGRESSIVE ROLES, SUCH AS EXECUTING “KAMIKAZE” ATTACKS ON RUSSIAN POSITIONS AND VEHICLES.
AND OF COURSE THERE ARE MORE OPTIONS–LIKE PUTTING FLAMETHROWERS ON THE THINGS.
THE UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES ARE ALREADY USING FLAME-DROPPING AERIAL DRONES IN THEIR ATTACKS AGAINST RUSSIAN POSITIONS, AND AN OHIO-BASED COMPANY, THROWFLAME, SPECIALIZES IN A SIMILAR MODEL OF ROBO-DOG…THE THERMONATOR, WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH A FLAMETHROWER.
ALTHOUGH THE THERMONATOR WAS ORIGINALLY MARKETED FOR INDUSTRIAL USES SUCH AS WILDFIRE CONTROL, ITS POTENTIAL PARALLELS TO MILITARY APPLICATIONS ARE DRAWING ATTENTION.
PRICED SIMILARLY AT AROUND $10,000, THE THERMONATOR DRAWS CLEAR PARALLELS TO THE BRIT ALLIANCE MODELS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE DEVELOPED BY DIFFERENT COMPANIES FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES.
AS UKRAINE CONTINUES TO INNOVATE ON THE BATTLEFIELD, THESE AGILE MACHINES WILL LIKELY PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN BOTH LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND DIRECT COMBAT….LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER SEMI-AUTONOMOUS DEVICES MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY ARE PART OF A LARGER TREND TOWARD INCREASED USE OF UNMANNED TECHNOLOGIES IN MODERN WARFARE.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT TREND BY DOWNLOADING THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP, OR LOGGING ON TO SAN.COM
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M RYAN ROBERTSON
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