Ace of Spades HQ

« Sickblogging | Main | Go. Just Go Already. »

February 02, 2005

Try Taking This Toy Hostage, Jihadis

I think I've already mentioned this, but it's so cool it's worth linking again.

Quinn said it was a “bootstrap development process” to convert a Talon robot, which has been in military service since 2000, from its main mission - defusing roadside bombs in Iraq- into the gunslinging SWORDS.
...

The $200,000, armed version will carry standard-issue Squad Automatic Weapons —- The SWORDS can fire about 300 rounds using the M240 and about 350 rounds using the M249 before needing to reload.

...

A typical soldier who could hit a target the size of a basketball from 300 meters away could hit a target the size of a nickel with the SWORDS, according Quinn.

The better accuracy stems largely from the fact that its gun is mounted on a stable platform and fired electronically, rather than by a soldier’s hands, according to Staff Sgt. Santiago Tordillos of the EOD Technology Directorate at Picatinny. Gone are such issues as trigger recoil, anticipation problems, and pausing the breathing cycle while aiming a weapon.

“It eliminates the majority of shooting errors you would have,” said Tordillos.

Chances are good the SWORDS will get even more deadly in the future. It has been tested with the larger .50 caliber machine guns as well as rocket and grenade launchers - even an experimental weapon made by the Australian company Metal Storm LLC that packs multiple rocket rounds into a single barrel, allowing for much more rapid firing.

I think every one of these bastards should be fitted with a jet black cowboy hat, just like Yul Brenner in Westworld.

More at the link.

posted by Ace at 12:52 AM

Comments

Reminds me of one of the Aliens II "robot sentries" that were firing down a corridor at a hoard of Aliens attacking.

A very effective weapon system until it runs out of ammunition. Hopefully it will have an auto-destruct system.

Posted by: RM3 Frisker FTN on February 2, 2005 01:16 AM

Yeah, but those were stationary, dude.

I don't think these guys are going to be very far from the squad of soldiers they're serving. They'll be the first ones in through a dangerous door, or around a corner. That sort of thing.

Posted by: ace on February 2, 2005 01:27 AM

THANK YOU ACE!!!

Godfather of all PIMPS!

Posted by: Hans on February 2, 2005 02:49 AM

Hans,

Put me in touch with a producer and you can expect more pimpage.

Posted by: ace on February 2, 2005 02:59 AM

Thought you'd never ask..

Done.. And done...

Posted by: Hans on February 2, 2005 03:33 AM

The next version of the killer robot should come with an Austrian accent and a Kennedy wife.

Posted by: lyle on February 2, 2005 10:05 AM

Looks like a T-1 doesn't it?

A towle burning mo fo.

Posted by: Greg on February 2, 2005 10:58 AM

Ace, why don't you just get hold of Roger Simon? He's as plugged in as plugged gets.

Just askin', y'know.

Posted by: recon on February 2, 2005 11:19 AM

I have seen reports in the MSM about our robots in Iraq. One asshole cautioned: we must consider that using these robots makes us look like the bad guys in Terminator, and world opinion may turn against us.

And as Cato would have said if he were here today:

THE RIGHT MUST BOYCOTT!!!

Posted by: 72VIRGINS on February 2, 2005 11:38 AM

The key bit of information in that article is the use of Metal Storm technology.

This technology can fire at a of up to 1 million rounds per minute.

Mounted on SWORDS, that is some serious damage.

Check out their intor video on the technology. They also have test videos of SWORDS:

http://www.metalstorm.com/04_video_introduction.html

Posted by: Rick on February 2, 2005 01:26 PM

The thing needs a minigun.
And a red light eye.
But should it have a terminator style eye, or the new Cyclon Robot style eye?

Posted by: Iblis on February 2, 2005 07:41 PM

The next step is true AI capability, more weapons, armor, sensors, etc and the ability to carry a human passenger/controller. BOLOS here we come!

Posted by: BattleofthePyramids on February 2, 2005 09:31 PM

Iraqi Terrorist: "Game over, man! Game over!"

Hopefully, the next SWORDS model will pack a little more firepower.

You have to wonder what's next on the drawing board.

Posted by: Xoxotl on February 2, 2005 10:50 PM

Or if you're on a budget, you can just get one of these. (from Instapundit)

Posted by: Kazmin on February 3, 2005 08:38 PM