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(CNN) - Torpedoes that travel at almost 350 mph, an electromagnetic rail gun with the range of cruise missiles, a quad-copter that fires lasers, drones made on board and a holographic control room. Those are just a few of the things that some of Britain's youngest and brightest scientists and engineers came up with when the country's Ministry of Defense challenged them to envision the battleship of the future. The scientists and engineers from defense contractors, the Ministry of Defense and the Royal Navy brought their ideas together in what's dubbed "Dreadnought 2050," an homage to the HMS Dreadnought, a 20,000-ton, 527-foot-long battleship launched in 1906. The HMS Dreadnought "represented such an advance that all other major warships were rendered obsolete," according to a press release from Startpoint, the Royal Navy organization overseeing the current project. Startpoint says its mission is to "tackle parallel challenges of providing advanced technology set against the backdrop of funding constraints." Looking at the artist's conceptions of Dreadnought 2050, "cheap" is not a word that comes to mind. Words like "starship" or "battlestar" seem more apt. Dreadnought 2050 is a tri-hull design and it's not steel as most battle ships are. It's an ultra-strong, see-through acrylic, Startpoint says. The ship does away with the traditional mast, using instead a quad-copter tethered to the ship with carbon nanotubes that would carry power for sensors and a laser gun to take out nearby threats. For threats farther off, there's an electomagnetic rail gun on the bow that can fire a projectile hundreds of miles. Tubes in the two outrigger hulls would be armed with "supercavitating" torpedoes, which go so fast that they vaporize the water around them and create an air pocket that lets them fly through the water. The aft section of Dreadnought 2050 would have a flight deck for drones that could be made onboard using 3-D printing technologies and a "moon pool," a floodable deck from which amphibious troops could be dispatched on missions. Control for all this comes from what the Royal Navy dubs the "Ops Room," in the center of which is a holographic command table linking all the ship's systems to commanders aboard, Royal Navy and Ministry of Defense headquarters and even NATO allies, according to Startpoint. The Ops Room would be manned by only five people, compared to 25 on today's ships, and the entire ship could be run by as few as 50, compared to about 200 on those in service now. With manpower a major cost for militaries, that's where a big chunk of cost savings comes in. While it all may seem a bit of head-in-the-stars thinking, the Royal Navy says that's exactly the point. "The Royal Navy needs visionary, innovative thinking and these concepts point the way to cutting edge technology which can be acquired at less cost and operated with less manpower than anything at sea today in the world's leading navies," Startpoint senior executive Muir Macdonald says in the press release. To be sure, see-through hulls may not be around the corner, but some of the technologies are here now. The U.S. Navy is testing ship-borne lasers and rail-gun prototypes, and 3-D printing is something even civilians can get their hands on. And maybe projects like this will have some of those tech-savvy civilians thinking about the defense industry. "We want to attract the best new talent to sea to operate, maintain and develop systems with this level of ambition," Cmdr. Steve Prest, the Royal Navy's fleet robotics officer, says in the Startpoint statement.

Defense News — For those who know defense acquisition, it’s never a surprise when timelines to bring revolutionary weapon systems to life slip to the right, but the US Army’s new program office to manage the acquisition of a Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft is laser-focused on getting to low-rate production by its goal of 2030. Over the past several years, Army leaders and analysts have discussed varying timelines for the program, often with more pessimistic estimates of when the helicopters could come online, such as 2040 or even as late as 2045. But according to Richard Kretzschmar, who leads the Army’s new Improved Turbine Engine and Future Vertical Lift program office, if things go well, FVL could reach low-rate initial production even earlier than 2030. Considering the type of efforts to develop a new helicopter from scratch — from both industry and government perspectives — the schedule is a “sporty†one, a “low- to medium-risk approach to acquisition,†Kretzschmar said Monday at a rotorcraft conference at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition. “We are doing what we can to explore moving that to the left and shortening that timeline, we are certainly leveraging the [Joint Multi-Role, or JMR] tech demonstrator.†The JMR technology demonstration is a science and technology effort to study what is in the realm of the possible for a future helicopter — one that can fly twice as far, twice as fast, with low maintenance needs at an affordable cost. Boeing and Sikorsky are building one air vehicle demonstrator and Bell Helicopter, partnered with Lockheed Martin, is building another. Both will undergo flight tests starting in fiscal 2017 through 2019. The demonstration will feed into the FVL program of record and help the Army define its requirements for the helicopter. The Army could move its timeline up, Kretzschmar said, if the established FVL requirements line up with the requirements of the JMR program. “If they are drastically different, then obviously there is more development on the industry side required in the early part of the program, so really our ability to do that is going to hinge on how far the technology has matured under the JMR [technology demonstrator],†he said. Keith Flail, Bell Helicopter’s program director for future vertical lift, said at the same conference, “There is an opportunity to bring the program to the left. ... I would argue a lot of what you’d typically do in a [technology-maturation and risk-reduction] phase ... JMR is doing a lot of those activities.†Bell Helicopter and the Boeing Sikorsky team, are burning down risk through the JMR program, not just by test-flying air demonstrators but also by “fabricating parts, we are showing this intense focus on design for manufacturing, design for affordability, gathering a lot of data, actuals, that they can provide to the costing community,†Flail said. Yet even if the program is able to enter low-rate production earlier, it would only be by a margin of one or two years, Kretzschmar said in an interview with Defense News at the conference. “2030 is really what we are driving toward," he said. "I think it’s going to be driven really more by resources from the Army perspective in when we can fit FVL into the portfolio.†The establishment of Kretzschmar’s program office in May — that will oversee FVL acquisition as well as the Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program within the Army’s Program Executive Office Aviation — can be seen as a symbolic gesture that the service is getting serious about making its development projects a reality. At the same time, Army Training and Doctrine Command stood up a capability manager for the two programs, he added. Kretzschmar is focused on reaching a materiel development decision in October 2016, which will trigger the start of an analysis of alternatives. The Army hasn't stated publicly which type of aircraft it may choose to develop first. Among the options is a smaller helicopter, he said, potentially a “special ops, street fighter-type aircraft.†Ultimately, the Army will develop a family of future vertical lift helicopters to replace the current fleet of utility, armed reconnaissance, attack and heavy-lift helicopters, but that development won’t happen concurrently. The Army expects to enter into a five-year technology-maturation and risk-reduction phase in 2019 then another five-year engineering and manufacturing development phase in 2024 or 2025 leading up to low-rate production in 2030.

Polaris Defense MRZR2 Fox News - Who doesn’t love an all-terrain vehicle? U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is no exception. Last week Medina, Minn.-based Polaris Defense announced that it is supplying the U.S. military with more all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The company has been supplying its MRZR ATVs to SOCOM for three years – and now special forces are getting their hands on even more. The new order is for MRZR 2 and MRZR 4s. The MRZR2 is an ideal variant to carry two operators and the MRZR 4 can carry four, or even six, depending on the configuration. Ultra-light vehicle mobility will continue to be a key capability for U.S. special operations missions. The five-year MRZR 2 and MRZR 4 contract is worth $83 million, according to Polaris Defense, which started delivery last month. The new contract also includes contractor logistics support. “These are extremely configurable platforms, providing operators the ability to quickly prepare for missions even in the most extreme terrain,†said Polaris Defense General Manager Rich Haddad, in a press release. “MRZRs provide extreme mobility SOF can count on, that deploys in tactical air, providing maximum flexibility.†What’s cool about it? Everything. These SOCOM ATVs feature on demand advanced all-wheel drive. When more traction is needed, the vehicle automatically engages all four wheels and can automatically revert back to two-wheel. This advanced tech translates into more power when an operator needs it on a mission and also less general wear and tear on the vehicle. Both variants also reach about 60 mph maximum speed with 88 HP engines that have been designed for extreme performance in the toughest terrains. The vehicles have fantastic throttle response and acceleration. The MRZR 2 can carry 1,000 pounds while the MRZR 4 can carry 1,500. They also have standard features like a winch, aircraft tie-downs, large cargo boxes and fold-down rollover structures for operator protection. To ensure maximum agility, the ATVs are built with a low center of gravity. In part, this is achieved by cunning placement of key components like the engine. The vehicles also have keyless ignition, which makes it easy to jump in and go. The smooth, highly responsive electronic power steering can help reduce fatigue for operators that have to drive for very long periods. The roll cage has a smart design that provides protection, but can be quickly and easily removed without tools. Important for keeping a low profile, the vehicle can black out instantaneously. The white light on the vehicle can be immediately shut off by just one switch – there’s also the option to use infrared on the vehicles. And very cool, the MRZRs can arrive by air since their easily transported by CV-22 tiltrotor military aircraft. The highly-mobile off-road MRZR can be configured lots of different ways to adapt for specific mission requirements while downrange. MRZRs are in service in more than 20 countries supporting the U.S. and allied forces, according to Polaris Defense.

A military demo from the Russian Arms Expo, in which armor, infantry and air force will combine to defeat an “entrenched terrorist force".

Incorrect, propaganda, same with US military and everywhere.

RT - China's heaviest-yet drone - comparable to the US Reaper - has made its maiden flight, Chinese media reported on Sunday. It can carry a payload of 3 tons and is said to have wall-penetrating radar. The Caihong 5, or Rainbow 5, was in the air over an undisclosed location in Gansu Province for just 20 minutes, but reportedly has endurance for 30 hours of flight. It has wingspan of 20 meters and surpasses the previous model developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation by 2.5 times in terms of carrying capacity. The drone’s chief designer, Ou Zhongming, said it can be equipped with wall-penetrating radar capability, which would allow it to track targets inside buildings. At the moment Chinese drones are not allowed to open fire without a ‘go’ from an on-ground observer. The technology has been widely used by the US during operations in the Middle East. “Terrorists have their hideouts. They can hide in a bush or in a house. That requires us to go through walls and identify the objects inside,†Ou said in a CCTV report. Another designer, Lan Wenbo, said Rainbow 5 can be armed with electronic warfare equipment that would protect other drones from detection and hacking. China is the world's biggest drone producer, but it focuses on the civilian segment of the market. Countries like the US and Israel are leading in military applications of robotic aircraft, particularly weaponized ones. The revelation comes days ahead of a big military parade, which China is to host on September 3 to commemorate the defeat of Imperial Japan in World War II. Beijing announced that more than 80 percent of the military hardware it plans to display had never been shown to the general public before. Over 10 foreign nations, including Russia, contributed their troops to the grand event in Beijing.

RT - The US government and military have identified a new threat in modern day warfare: commercial drones adapted to carry explosives or chemical weapons. To address this risk, weapons manufacturer Boeing has invented a portable laser cannon. Boeing’s new Compact Laser Weapon System (LWS) is easily transportable at 650 pounds, can be assembled in 15 minutes, and can generate an energy beam of 10 kilowatts to bring down a target up to 22 miles away, according to the company. Boeing publicly tested the laser cannon in a New Mexico industrial park on Wednesday and called the new weapon a game changer as it’s portable, silent, invisible and precise. It is designed to target unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying aircraft, and artillery rounds. The LWS is housed in four containers, which include a battery, a commercial fiber laser, a water-cooled chiller, and a beam director. Once assembled, it resembles a sub-woofer speaker on a tripod. During the demonstration, Boeing burned holes in a stationary, composite unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) shell. The drone caught fire just two seconds after being blasted by the LWS blasted at full power. Developed for the US Marine Corps, the laser cannon is controlled by a standard Xbox 360 controller and a laptop with custom targeting software. Once the target is in range, the system can take over from a human operator and control targeting and tracking automatically. Its current design requires a static position, but with upgrades it could be used on a moving vehicle or ship. “This represents a low-cost way to deal with the threat,†said David DeYoung, director of Boeing Laser & Electro-Optical Systems, according to WIRED. The system requires a 220-volt outlet which can be supplied by a generator or a battery pack, and the company says the laser can run for years with basic maintenance. The system is being tested by US Special Operations and can be operated by from eight to a dozen Marines. The LWS was designed to handle threats identified by the US government and its military, such as the proliferation in the use of commercial drones that could easily be adapted to carry explosives or chemical weapons. “They [laser weapon systems] are able to engage targets, and Boeing has an edge in this as we have been developing lasers for tens of years,†said DeYoung in a YouTube video published by the company. Other weapons manufacturers have developed anti-drone shotgun shells and jamming technology, but Boeing plans to just zap the enemy out of the sky.

Maneuverability doesn't matter. This is modern era, dogfighting is over, use missiles now. Look at F-22.

So this means small drones are useless in combat?

Same with the F-22

CNN - Flamethrowers were gruesome weapons of war and so controversial that the U.S. military stopped using them after Vietnam. But as crazy as it may sound, they are available for sale to the public. A Cleveland startup called Throwflame is selling flamethrowers for $1,599 that can shoot fire for 50 feet. Another company, Ion Productions Team of Detroit, is selling $900 flamethrowers that can eject flames for 25 feet. Both companies started selling them this year. The flamethrowers are marketed not as weapons, but as fun devices. "We always have the people who just want it for fun. Impress the neighbors at the BBQ," said Throwflame founder Quinn Whitehead. Both Whitehead and Ion CEO Chris Byars said their flamethrowers have caused no injuries, and safety is a priority. But Ion notes on its website that the flamethrower "may result in injury or even death." The flamethrowers do have practical uses, both companies told CNNMoney. They said farmers can use them to clear fields by burning unwanted brush, and fire departments can use them for controlled burns, to try and prevent accidental forest fires or to stop them from spreading. How do they work? Throwflame's fire comes from a hose connected to a backpack with a tank of fuel. The Ion flamethrower is powered by a fuel can that's attached directly to the device. Are flamethrowers legal? A spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it doesn't regulate them because they are not guns. That means buyers don't need to go through background checks from the FBI. Still, flamethrowers could run afoul of state or local laws. They are banned outright in Maryland. California considers them "destructive devices," which are illegal, but the state does issue permits for use on movie sets. Many other local jurisdictions have fire codes and weapon controls, which could prevent people from buying or using them. There's no outright ban on them in the country's National Parks. However, you cannot use one, and displaying one could result in prosecution for causing "unrest," according to the Parks' regional chief ranger William Reynolds. The Department of the Interior, which controls the Office of Wild Fire, said its firefighters use a variety of incendiary devices, including drip torches, flares and propane torches. While it didn't name a flamethrower, it does use a Terra Torch, which behaves like one. However, it's fueled by a tank mounted in a truck, which isn't portable. Throwflame and Ion sell their flamethrowers online. Byars said he ships via the U.S. Postal Service, which has restrictions against flammable liquids. So he ships them without the fuel. Whitehead said he ships via UPS. Susan Rosenberg, a UPS spokeswoman, confirmed that "a flamethrower device without fuel is not a restricted item and is not licensed in the same way as firearms or ammunition. UPS will accept the device for shipment if legal in the origin and destination locations."

Well the ones the article I post listed do seem to be much higher quality by looks. You don't want that thing exploding in your hands lol.

How far can those shoot? The ones I listed in the article is 50 feet and 25 feet.

I don't know about rocket launchers, it just says in the article that flamethrowers are completely unregulated in all but 2 states. Maybe there is a 2nd Amendment debate about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLLm14UNb0 (CNN) - The Army this week selected the company to build its much-anticipated new vehicle to replace the Humvee -- a multibillion dollar contract. Oshkosh Corporation, located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, won the $6.7 billion contract to produce the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which will also be used by the Marine Corps. The initial order will be for 17,000 vehicles, with production set to begin next year. The Army expects to have its first JLTV unit ready to go in fiscal year 2018, according to a release from the Army. Oshkosh beat out two competitors for the final contract: defense giant Lockheed Martin and AM General, which manufacturers the Humvee. The tactical vehicle-maker will produce a two-seat and four-seat version of the vehicle, as well as a corresponding trailer. Each of the three bidders produced 22 prototypes of their version of the JLTV, which were tested for 14 months leading up to the final award contract. Oshkosh hailed the award and pledged a JLTV "that no other vehicle can match," per the company's executive vice president. "Our JLTV has been extensively tested and is proven to provide the ballistic protection of a light tank, the underbody protection of an MRAP-class vehicle, and the off-road mobility of a Baja racer," Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John M. Urias said. "The Oshkosh JLTV allows troops to travel over rugged terrain at speeds 70% faster than today's gold standard, which is our Oshkosh M-ATV. Looking to future battlefields, we know that our troops will face a myriad of threats. Soldiers and Marines can be assured that the highly capable Oshkosh JLTV will perform the mission." A brochure for Oshkosh's JLTV advertises the vehicle's off-road capabilities, including adjustable suspension, external protections that can withstand blasts as well as blast-protected seats, and better fuel efficiency. The Army felt the need to replace the Humvee to keep up with modern battlefields, especially the increased use of improvised explosive devices in Iraq. Metal shields had to be created to retrofit Humvees with more protection in Iraq. "The HMMWV was the right capability for its era," Scott Davis, Scott Davis, program executive officer at the US Army's Combat Support and Combat Services Support, told Army-Technology.com. He continued: "It was never intended to be a combat vehicle. Adding the protection soldiers needed in today's full-spectrum threat environments to a HMMWV substantially degraded its mobility, and in some cases eliminated its payload capacity."

Military flamethrowers cost in the thousands (in the States). You see how much cheaper those civilian ones are?

Flamethrowers are unregulated and are completely legal in 48 of the 50 states in the US (not Maryland and California).

2nd Amendment of the US Constitution isn't going anywhere.

2nd Amendment

First Lieutenant Shaye Haver and Captain Kristen Griest passed Ranger School MilitaryTimes — Two women have now passed the Army's grueling Ranger test, and even tougher and more dangerous jobs could lie ahead. The military services are poised to allow women to serve in most front-line combat jobs, including special operations forces, senior officials told The Associated Press. Based on early talks, officials say the Army, Navy and Air Force likely will not seek exceptions that close any jobs to women. Marine Corps leaders, they say, have expressed concerns about allowing women to serve in infantry jobs and yet may seek an exception. The services are wrapping up reviews and must make their recommendations to Defense Secretary Ash Carter this fall. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the internal debate. Even if Marine leaders object, they are likely to meet resistance from senior Navy and Defense Department officials who want the military to be united on this issue. Undercutting the Marines' reservations is that Special Operations Command is likely to allow women to compete for the most demanding military commando jobs — including the Navy SEALs and the Army's DeltaForce — though with the knowledge that it may be years before women even try to enter those fields. Women have been steadily moving into previously all-male jobs across the military, including as members of the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, best known as the helicopter crews that flew Navy SEALs into Osama bin Laden's compound. Women are also now serving on Navy submarines and in Army artillery units. Friday will mark another milestone as the two women graduate at Fort Benning, Georgia, from the Ranger school, a physically and mentally demanding two-month combat leadership course. Completing the course lets the two women wear the coveted Ranger black-and-gold tab, but it does not let them become members of the Ranger regiment. Neither woman has been publicly identified by the military. Longer term, the uncertainty of the Marine decision underscores the wrenching debates going on within the military over the changing role of women, and it reflects the individual identities of the services and how they view their warrior ethos. Only a handful of jobs in the Navy and Air Force are currently closed to women. Last year the Navy considered seeking an exception that would have prohibited women from serving on older guided missile frigates, mine-countermeasure ships and patrol coast craft. Some argued that those ships, which are due to be phased out in coming years, would need millions of dollars in construction to add facilities for women and it wasn't worth the expense. But Navy Secretary Ray Mabus withdrew that plan in a memo late last month that was obtained by the AP. Officials said Navy leaders concluded that since women can serve in all the same jobs on other ships no real exclusion existed. The Army and Marine Corps, however, have thousands of infantry, artillery and armor jobs that are currently closed to women. There has been a lot of study and debate over whether to open those positions, because they often involve fighting in small units on the front lines, doing physically punishing tasks. The Marine Corps set up a task force this year to set gender-neutral job standards and determine whether incorporating women into small squads affected unit cohesion or combat readiness. Companies made up of all men and mixes of men and women spent up to three months in California performing a broad range of unit tasks and going through detailed scientific evaluations to see how they did. Senior leaders are reviewing those results. Army leaders did similar scientific analysis, reviewing all tasks needed to do the combat jobs and have been creating gender-neutral standards that troops will have to meet in order to qualify. Meanwhile, however, the Army began to slowly open some combat positions, including artillery jobs, to women. In recent days, officials familiar with the discussions said they believe the Army will allow women to seek infantry and armor jobs as well. Gen. Ray Odierno, who retired last week as Army chief of staff, hinted at that conclusion. "In order to best manage your talent, you have to pick the best people who can perform to the standards that we have established," Odierno said. "If you can meet the standards that we've established, then you should be able to perform in that (position). And I think that's where we're headed." In January 2013 then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey signed an order wiping away generations of limits on women fighting for their country, ordering a quarter-million positions open regardless of gender. They called for sweeping reviews of the physical requirements for combat jobs and gave the military services until January 2016 to argue if any positions should remain closed to women. Throughout the process, all the services have made it clear they will not reduce any standards to allow women to qualify for the most demanding jobs. But they reviewed the requirements for the various combat posts to make sure they were directly related to tasks that had to be done as part of the jobs. During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, thousands of women served and fought, and about 160 died. Dempsey told reporters during that 2013 news conference that he did not rule out women serving as members of special operations forces, although it might be years before they actually qualified. "I think we all believe that there will be women who can meet those standards," he said.

(RT) - Hobby drone usage is on the rise, with its privacy implications causing some discomfort. However, an ammunition company has apparently devised a solution: a shotgun shell marketed specifically to shoot down nosy camera drones right out of the sky. The shells are given the name “Dronemunition†by their seller, Snake River Shooting Products. The packaging encourages buyers to “prepare for the drone apocalypse†with a subheading clarifying that they are referring to “the invasion of privacy†apocalypse that camera drones will bring. The shells are 3-inches long and are full of #2 steel shot -- about .15 inches in diameter. The ammunition is relatively large, so firing it at a drone will smash it into a pile of useless metal and plastic. What seems to make Dronemunition special is its “ferromagnetic payload†that would presumably go a step further in disabling the electronic components of a drone. On the other hand, it could just be an elaborate way of saying that the pellets are steel instead of lead. “The product also generates a discussion on the growing drone market in general,†the website states. “Self defense applies whether it is a person based or machine based threat and is just as important as protecting your family!†Those using the Dronemunition for its intended purpose may end up having their privacy invaded by a much more menacing foe: the legal system. Shooting down drones that aren’t yours is a federal crime. Some have had to learn this the hard way, such as a California man who was ordered to pay $850 in May for blasting a neighbor’s drone to bits with his shotgun. His presumably run-of-the-mill ammunition seemed to do the trick, begging that question about whether Dronemunition is worth buying at all. Snake River seems to have already covered this with a seemingly paradoxical message: “DISCLAIMER: Federal, State, and Local laws dictate when, where, and in what situations a firearm can be legally discharged. We are in no way condoning the use of this product for illegal activity! Be sure to follow ALL firearm laws at all times!â€

URP-01G (RT) - A Russian crawling traction robotic system due to be trialed by the end of 2015 will be capable of being used in human-unfriendly environments, such as a battlefield, a nuclear fallout area, extreme polar night Arctic conditions or mine sweeping. The robotic platform, called URP-01G, will weigh up to 7 tons, depending on the equipment requirements and type of armor, with dimensions of about 3.5 meters long and less than 2 meters wide. The robot will carry up to 2 tons of hardware and have a maximum speed of 40 km/h. It will remain operable after a fall of up to 2 meters. The system is being developed by Russia’s Systemprom Concern, an integral part of the United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation. The producer promises that will be used in situations where human life is endangered, such as army scout-attack missions, police counter-terrorist operations, firefighting, post-accident clean-up after incidents at nuclear power plants, chemical and biological hazard reconnaissance, guard patrol functions and rescue operations. “We create several systems, said Aleksey Simulin, Systemprom’s Science and Technology department chief. “One of them is a universal robotic complex capable of carrying various types of working payload. Onboard the complex there will be a large variety of accessory sub-systems to maintain [electric] supply and control of the payload systems.†Having enough power and integrated command and control systems onboard the robotic platform, “we can turn this machine into virtually anything,†Simulin said, adding that the installed payload modules could be from different producers. The URP-01G robotic platform could be transformed into an radio-electronic warfare unit or a communication repeater, which means it could accommodate a high-capacity power supply system. The developer says that the initial range of the system will be 10 kilometers from its control center, but there are plans to turn it into an autonomous system with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. “The machine is designed in such a way that it could be loaded into a military truck or could be airdropped,†Simulin said, adding that the company is developing the platform and plans to start factory tests by the end of this year. Another unique feature of URP-01G is its control system developed specifically for the platform. It functions without a “classic operating system,†such as Windows or Linux, and it loads to readiness in mere 1.5 seconds. All the platform’s control electronic components are produced in Russia, Simulin said, adding that the new know-how is likely to be used on other perspective Russian robotic platforms. For the Russian army, Systemprom is developing two variants of URP-01G, a battlefield one armed with a heavy machine gun and grenade launchers, and a scout version equipped with a small reconnaissance UAV. The exact appearance of the URP-01G platform remains classified. Over the last couple of years there have been presented a number of track-type battle robotic systems armed with small-arms weapons and anti-tank rocket launchers. Some of them, such as Platform-M and Uran, are being actively tested in the Russian army, yet there has been no official information about the number of units purchased by the Defense Ministry.

(RT) - The Russian Army has been showcasing state-of-the-art military equipment in the city of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, boasting its Platform-M combat robot which can be used both for patrolling and attacks. Platform-M is a remote controlled robotic unit on a crawler, armed with grenade launchers and Kalashnikov rifles. It was revealed last summer during a Russian military drills near Kaliningrad. According to its developer, Progress Scientific Research Technological Institute of Izhevsk, Platform-M can be used “for gathering intelligence, for discovering and eliminating stationary and mobile targets, for firepower support, for patrolling and for guarding important sites. The unit's weapons can be guided, it can carry out supportive tasks and it can destroy targets in automatic or semiautomatic control systems.†It’s equipped with optical-electronic and radio reconnaissance locators, which enable the Russian robot to perform combat tasks during the night without unmasking itself. Platform-M is a universal platform that can be supplies “with a variety of defensive chassis and weaponry,†the developer added. Sunday’s open-air expo, which gathered hundreds of spectators at the home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, also included a wide range of weaponry from ‘Bastion’ air defense and anti-ship complex missile systems to sniper rifles and special ops naval guns. The event which was also a promotion campaign saw over 1,500 people applying for contract service in the Russian military, according to Admiral Aleksandr Vitko, the Black Sea Fleet commander. The Black Sea Fleet is meanwhile reducing the number of conscription troops with the aim of filling at least half of its contingent with highly-trained contract soldiers.