The American agency DARPA has tested a group of four autonomous ground robots capable of moving independently, performing reconnaissance and identifying enemy targets without the use of GPS.
The tests took place on October 15 at the Fort Knox test site in Kentucky, but now they have released more details about the RACER program, which the Americans have been working on for about five years.
The bottom line is this: four NRCs are able to operate both together and independently, move in difficult terrain, build a map of the surrounding space using their own sensors, conduct reconnaissance and identify potential targets.
The robots move independently, search and identify targets, but the operator gives permission to defeat them.
The tests used Overland AI ground platforms, combined with unmanned attack systems on the sensor.
Three of the four NRCs carried aerial drones, which could be used for both additional reconnaissance and target engagement.
According to DARPA representatives, when developing the program, the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war was taken into account, especially the features of using ground robots and interaction of operators with unmanned systems.
Essentially, the Americans are practicing the transition from single remotely controlled vehicles to autonomous robotic groups capable of autonomous maneuvering, reconnaissance and target identification, leaving only the decision to open fire to a human.
The next phase of testing is planned for December, with the involvement of military personnel to evaluate the practical application of these systems.