This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
Marines Corps soldiers at three U.S. military bases across the country have been taking part in a study involving humanoid robot targets that can move at speeds of up to 18 kilometers per hour, charge the shooter, and run maneuvers with other robots.
The goal of using these robots during training is to improve the Marine’s skills and overall quality of training. The robots challenge the soldiers by moving on rugged wheeled platforms and bouncing back again and again after being shot.
By the end of the year, a report will be filed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the robots in training.
Mac McKinney, co-lead for the ongoing robotic target study with Range and Training Area Management for Marine Corps Training and Education Command, told military.com that the service owns seven of the targets, and has leased 48 more for the purposes of the test.
“We’re looking at robotic targets, on how they’re being utilized for basic marksmanship, up to special ops, for training purposes for the Marine Corps,” McKinney said. “Is it improving shot-to-hit ratio? How is it improving the skills of the basic warfighter?”
From the start of the study in November 2017 to its conclusion later this year, thousands of troops will have participated in the test. Their results will be compared against historical averages to determine the robots’ effectiveness in training.
Classic training involves static, or at least limited-movement targets. The notion of unpredictable, moving targets simulating real war-time conditions is expected to more effectively prepare soldiers for battle.
According to McKinney, “these [robotic targets] will go lateral; these will attack you. We’re actually utilizing these in the woods too.”
The robots have been employed at various altitudes and weather conditions to test their performance. The Marine Corps hasn’t committed to a single manufacturer for the targets, and multiple companies’ equipment is being assessed.
