Robots are increasingly being introduced into the everyday life of modern man. This trend is especially noticeable in the military field: in fact, a significant amount of developments in the field of robotics is of defense origin. What capabilities do modern combat robots have? Does Russia have competitive examples of such equipment?
Battle robots: specifics
Actually, what kind of weapons is a combat robot? Is it a weapon of the future or are products that are already finding practical use in the advanced armies of the world?
Regarding the first question, the criteria are very different. Among Russian experts, the term “robot” is most often understood as a device capable, first of all, of independent decision making. In particular, if we talk about the military sphere of application - about capturing a target, about shooting, about moving around, etc. That is, capable of, to one degree or another, replace a soldier. There are other interpretations of the term "combat robot." So, by such machines can be understood any developments capable of ensuring the fulfillment of combat missions without the actual presence of a person in the territory of their conduct. At the same time autonomy of the machines is optional.
As for the criterion of independent performance of functions, robots can operate in a mode of complete autonomy, partial or in the framework of human control. A typical combat robot of the future, experts believe, will be characterized mainly by independent work. Today, however, among the most common are semi-autonomous and controllable vehicles. Robots that are completely independent of humans are still rare even in the military sphere, in which the most advanced engineering concepts are often concentrated.
Combat robots have been used in practice in the armies of the world for a long time. However, the latest developments of weapons of the appropriate type, as a rule, reflect the capabilities of the most advanced technologies - in the field of navigation, visual recognition of objects, artificial intelligence, weapons and other aspects. And therefore, the latest generations of robots can be incomparably more progressive than those that were developed several years ago.
In practice, military-type robotic solutions can be implemented in a variety of forms. It can be self-propelled guns - on independent platforms or integrated with current types of military equipment - armored vehicles, tanks. These may be aircraft. It can be underground or underwater devices. Among the most modern concepts are android robots, that is, those that look like a person in appearance and are designed to replace him in a number of combat missions.
Government program
Thanks to the initiatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Russian military equipment based on robotic developments will be created and put into operation as part of a comprehensive target program approved in 2014. In particular, it is expected that the share of robots in the armament structure of the Russian army can be about 30%. However, the bulk of the items in the relevant program is still classified. But some facts are still known to the public. Consider them.
Current developments
In particular, there is evidence that one of the robotic systems is being tested at a radio plant in Izhevsk. A machine with the index MRK-002-BG-57, as evidenced by some publications, has a caterpillar track, can operate for about 10 hours in stand-alone mode, or can be controlled remotely from a distance of 5 km. This Russian combat robot is equipped with a wide range of electronic equipment - a range finder, a thermal imager, and a computer. The machine is not badly armed: it has a Kalashnikov machine gun, a grenade launcher, as well as an automatic weapon of the Kord type.
The device, developed in Izhevsk, weighs about 900 kg, speeds up to 45 km / h and runs on a gasoline engine. Autonomy of the robot is one of the key differences from foreign counterparts, in particular American ones, which, as some experts note, can fully fully function only in the human control mode.
Also, there is evidence that another Russian combat robot will be created on the basis of the Tiger machine. The corresponding kit will be equipped with powerful anti-tank weapons of the "Cornet" type. However, there is still very little public information about this development.
In the near future, small reconnaissance robots manufactured by the Constellation company should enter the Russian army. They are intended mainly for working underground. These vehicles are able, for example, to determine how many enemy military equipment is on the ground surface, its possible type, as well as the number of soldiers in the same area. The machine from the "Constellation" can execute part of the programs offline.
Servosila also produces small robots that can be involved in intelligence. So, for example, the Engineer machine is interesting because it can climb stairs and capture small objects. It has an “Engineer” system of high-precision visual recognition of surrounding objects, as well as a navigation module.
These are the latest developments in Russia in the field of robotics. We also consider other promising types of high-tech military products developed by designers from the Russian Federation.
Lasers
The latest military equipment in Russia is not only robots. Among the priorities of the domestic defense industry is the development of laser systems. There is, in particular, evidence that the Russian army really needs airborne laser systems. Alternatively, those that could be compatible with the A-60 aircraft, equipped with equipment that can shoot down satellites. The laser industry is considered by Russian experts as one of the most promising in terms of effective modernization of the state’s armed forces.
Equipment
What other latest Russian developments in terms of promising technologies can be noted? Among the interesting samples are equipment for soldiers, in particular the Warrior kit. He is called the combat equipment of a soldier of the future. "Warrior" is a high-tech camouflage, consisting of several dozen security elements, equipped with a thermal imager, navigation system, a large number of sensors. At the disposal of the soldier who put on the "Warrior", a machine gun, machine gun or rifle with a night vision scope. Another notable piece of equipment is the 6B48 suit, designed for tankers. It is characterized by a high degree of protection of the body of the soldier from fragments. The costume is also complemented by an armored headset.
Robots - in the ranks?
But back to the robots. There is evidence that Russian weapons of the future based on robotic developments will be supplied to the army so that whole companies can be equipped on its basis. Among the promising applications of machines is the protection of rocket launchers. Also, as expected, robots will be able to perform reconnaissance missions, participate in combat operations.
It can be noted that, for example, in the USA, the latest military equipment in the form of robots for the purpose of protecting military facilities is also actively used. In particular, the MDARS machine is designed to control the territories in which nuclear facilities are located. Americans are also actively using unmanned vehicles.
Autonomy or controllability?
There is a discussion among modern experts regarding whether the robotic industry should be accentuated in the direction of giving the machine maximum autonomy. The Americans, in particular, are not too keen on this yet, believing that even advanced, latest developments of weapons of this type cannot fully make decisions correctly in real combat missions.
Of course, autonomous robots in the armies of different countries of the world are now used. We have already said about Russian samples. You can note the Israeli development - an unmanned Harpy. In automatic mode, he can find, in particular, enemy radars.
The benefits of robots
What advantages can a robot have in battle when comparing its functions and capabilities with human-driven technology? First of all, in many cases this is a significantly higher efficiency in hitting targets. The fact is that when shooting from a portable weapon, a soldier makes a large percentage of misses. Modern robots can spend ammo much more efficiently.
The next aspect - the robot does not get tired. Its performance does not depend on the time of day. Provided, of course, that there are resources available to recharge its batteries. Robots, under the condition of well-developed software, as a rule, make less mistakes when performing similar operations.
Disadvantages of robots
In turn, potential errors when performing complex operations are among the main disadvantages of robots. In real combat there are a large number of psychological nuances. Even the most modern robots are not able to take them into account. For example, it is unlikely that the machine will be able to recognize the enemy’s desire to surrender or to distinguish a military person from a civilian by indirect signs - the presence of epaulets, uniforms, etc. Of course, these nuances are relevant for autonomous machines. Managed robots, one way or another, make key decisions according to human commands.
Robot of the future - what is it?
What kind of battle robot is he of the future? If we consider a realistic scenario, then, as Russian experts believe, such a machine will be characterized, first of all, by the presence of pronounced competitive advantages over a person in terms of environmental perception. This may be, for example, the ability to see objects at farther distances, to distinguish between smaller objects, to have night vision, the ability to recognize infrared and ultraviolet waves.
In turn, the technological platform on which the robot will operate - ground, air, water - will be determined by the specifics of combat missions.
It is quite possible, experts believe, that a typical android solution for some military branches will be an android robot that can replace a soldier in all the main areas of military operations. That is, if necessary, then take the machine, sit at the helm of the aircraft, in the tank, etc. In this field of application, stand-alone robotic platforms may become less efficient solutions.
In turn, self-propelled systems are likely to find their application if the task is to counter the appropriate type of enemy weapons, that is, in battles in which human participation is not expected. In this case, only robots will fight.
Russian robot - like a man
Actually, now a separate trend in world robotics is development and production of machines, the capabilities of which are supposed to be replaced by them in solving individual human problems. This is how the battle robot of Russia, which was developed thanks to media attention, appeared, which was developed by specialists from the Central Scientific Research Institute of Precision Engineering. The machine, presented personally to the President of the Russian Federation, belongs to the class of android robots.
Managed by human development. That is, this robot is not autonomous. Machine capabilities - shooting, as well as the management of certain modes of transport, in particular, an ATV. There is evidence that the robot is an adaptation of another development, which is intended for use in outer space - a manipulator type SAR-401, which has the functions of copying human movements using manipulators and at the same time is capable of capturing small objects.
The story of the robot is interesting , which, as some experts suggest , became the prototype of the “android” shown to the President. Several years ago, Russian researchers decided to create a machine that could be used in rescue operations. Future development should have a wide range of functions - which would distinguish it from world analogues, characterized, according to some experts, by some narrowness of application. At the same time, unambiguous facts that would speak about the continuity of the SAR-401 and the robot that was presented to the President have not yet been made available to the general public.
Competitive solutions
A promising Russian combat robot that knows how to ride an ATV is one of the most advanced developments in the world, but it has analogues. In particular, the American agency DARPA, known for inventing the basic concepts that formed the basis of the Internet, developed an android robot called ATLAS. Thus, the development of new technologies in the field of robotics is, according to many experts, a global trend that has taken place.
Android robots: the prospect of real application
What can be the real applications of machines like the one developed by the Russian Institute of Precision Engineering? First of all, it is worth noting the fact that a significant amount of the device’s capabilities presented to the President is classified. The fact that the robot can ride an ATV and shoot is far from all of its functions, many experts believe. At the same time, experts believe that such devices have yet to be improved mainly in terms of performing tasks in an uncertain environment - the one that is typical for real combat operations.
The competitiveness of the Russian school
What is the degree of readiness of the Russian robotics school actively, not lagging behind its Western colleagues, or even ahead of them, to introduce new military developments? The opinions of experts differ on this score. There are experts who believe that the western robotics industry is significantly ahead of the Russian one. This is due to the volume of funding, especially in the 90s, when the scientific base was laid for current developments, and the level of infrastructure. In turn, there are experts who believe that Russian designers are in no way inferior to representatives of the western robotics school.
The proof of this is not only the combat robot of Russia, which was presented to the President. Our country has all the resources for training personnel in the robotics industry, primarily at the academic level. In the country's universities there are specialties for this field. At the same time, Russian engineers are successfully developing robots not only for the needs of the defense industry, but also civilian vehicles. One way or another, there is every reason to say that the Russian combat robot that controls the ATV is only one of the first examples of the successful implementation of the design concepts of engineers from the Russian Federation.