This was my first look at a program such as this on the Military Channel. I was stunned at what I saw. After this was over, I wondered if machinery like this takes over, if anyone will need men to fight wars, except for the guys running these robotic weaponry, which protects and attacks. Four new pieces of machinery are featured in this hour-long show. In a nutshell, this episode discussed the following:
1 - "The Protector," a brand-new unmanned surface vehicle, which is coming to the U.S. Navy. They show it being tested out off the shore of San Diego. If you need an armed patrol boat to secure miles of ocean but don't want to put your guys in harm's way, this is it. There are two operators back at the base running the boat with remote controls. "The Protector" can find you day or night with its incredible infra-red cameras. It is mentioned that this would be a good weapon against terrorists using waterways, as terrorists did in the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole.
2 - Squad Mission support vehicle - This was amazing; a small tank used to carry about 10 men's supplies, which usually weigh almost a hundred pounds each, exhausting soldiers quickly. Soldiers in Viet Nam and Iraq have had this problem, carrying so much weight around that they are quickly fatigued and vulnerable to error. However, this small vehicle can lift these burdens. It can also see what's ahead, being a scout. It can go in any terrain and, if not sure about the mission, will stop and wait for further directions. It can also transport two injured men, leaving eight others free to continue their fight. (Normally, it takes four guys to help get an injured man off to safety.) This is a great, practical machine.
3 - The Intelligent Munitions System - a land vehicle that is an answer to the deadly mine systems. Mines can stay active for decades after a conflict is over and can injure anyone, allies or foes, or innocent people.The IMS uses sophisticated technology to differentiate between friend and foe, whether something moving or unmoving is a threat. On the offensive, instead of planting mines, an operator oversees a large field and can attack with a small launching tube in the air, covering thousands of square feet. In other words, if you need to get somewhere without worrying about interference, this can clear the field and make it safe to move at least several miles. Once planted in areas, it senses weapons and people, so the enemy can't have access to it without knowledge of the operator. This is in the development stage as of this filming.
4 - The Archer" - "Whoever has the most accurate firepower wins," it's stated in this segment. "Muscle, however, needs speed, too. Most heavy artillery is vulnerable to weather, as extreme cold or wet or hot can cause a howitzer to bog down." However, "The Archer" can get through anything and any kind of weather.....and it's quick. It was developed in Sweden, just 70 miles south of the arctic circle. This is a 155-millimeter transportable howitzer and is ready to go to work even if it's 50 degrees below zero. There are only two in existence now, but that should change in a few years. This will set a new standard for artillery. It has a range of 31 miles and is "shoot and scoot." It can fire and be out of there before the ammunition hits the ground (20 seconds to set up or the set back down and drive away.) It's fully automated and only needs two men to operate. The shell can actually steer itself after its fired! This is one scary machine! Accuracy? It's accuracy can be comparable to an archer hitting an apple off a guy's head from 250 feet way. It's incredible.