Armed Robots Join the Battle in Iraq

Army Quietly Testing First Three SWORDS in the Combat Zone

By CHRISTINA DAVIDSON
The summer of 2007 may become zero hour for the era of post-modern warfighting, as the US Army has finally introduced armed robots to the battle. The insurgency should not fear invading legions of Terminators, but the "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) will enable machine to go where man would surely die.
The 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade was given the opportunity for the first test runs in the field, and three units arrived in Iraq in April, according to National Defense magazine.
SWORDS is designed to take on “high risk combat missions,” according to an Army statement. The robot can draw and respond to fire before a soldier even enters a risky situation, acting as a force multiplier on the battlefield.
The SWORDS reportedly haven't fired their weapons yet, but the program manager reports the response has been so positive that the Army would like to order 80 more if their appropriations budget permits. So far, he reports, the first three units have been out on recon missions and on street patrol.

LinkHere

First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq (Updated)

Noah Shachtman

Robots have been roaming the streets of Iraq, since shortly after the war began. Now, for the first time -- the first time in any warzone -- the machines are carrying guns. After years of development, three "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) robots have deployed to Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots "haven't fired their weapons yet," Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM. "But that'll be happening soon"...

continua / continued