First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq

[UnyieldingHierophant]

Robots have been roaming the streets of Iraq, since shortly after the war began. Now, for the first time -- the first time in any warzone -- the machines are carrying guns.

After years of development, three "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) robots have deployed to Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots "haven't fired their weapons yet," Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM. "But that'll be happening soon."

The SWORDS -- modified versions of bomb-disposal robots used throughout Iraq -- were first declared ready for duty back in 2004. But concerns about safety kept the robots from being sent over the the battlefield. The machines had a tendency to spin out of control from time to time. That was an annoyance during ordnance-handling missions; no one wanted to contemplate the consequences during a firefight.

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/08/httpwwwnational.html

[texas1928]

1. Number 5, is ALIVE!!!!

No disassemble, No disassemble.

[Kipper58]

2. Is anyone else thinking of Robocop?

You have thirty seconds to comply........

[MrScorpio]

3. I'm thinking more of The Terminator War

How soon will it take before they decide to come after us?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

7. Thirty seconds is plenty ample time...

...for a reasonable, law abiding citizen to bring him/herself into compliance -- what are you, some kind of troublemaker? :D

[Silent3]

4. I dearly hope...

...the aren't running Windows. :scared:

[UnyieldingHierophant]

5. LMFAO, nice!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

6. Remember this thing from the movie Robocop?

How many of your tax dollars do you suppose the Pentagon has pissed away on projects like this and other high tech science fiction weapons systems R&D over the last quarter century? A lot more than has been spent on bridge and other infrastructure maintenance I'd be willing to bet.