Robots are increasingly incorporated into the daily life of modern man.This trend is particularly noticeable in the military field: in fact, a significant amount of developments in the field of robotics has defensive origins.What capabilities have advanced combat robots?Does Russia have competitive samples of such equipment?
Fighting robots: specificity
Actually, what this kind of arms - combat robot?It is a weapon of the future, or products that are already active in the practical application of advanced armies of the world?
Regarding the first question, the criteria are very different.Among the Russian experts, the term "robot" is meant mostly as a device capable of primarily on independent decision making.In particular, if we talk about the scope of the military - a takeover target, about the shooting, about the movement of the terrain, etc.That is capable to some extent substitute for the soldier.There are different interpretations of the term "combat robot."Thus, under such machines can be understood as any development that can ensure the implementation of combat missions without the actual presence in the territory of their rights.At the same time the autonomy of the machines is not necessary.
With regard to the independence criteria of the functions, the robots can operate at full autonomy, partial or within human control.Typical combat robot of the future, experts believe, will be characterized by mostly independent work.Today, however, among the most common - and semi-controlled machines.Robots that are completely independent from the person is a rarity even for the military sphere, which are often concentrated in the most advanced engineering concepts.
Fighting robots are used in practice in the armies of the world for a long time.However, the latest development of weapons of the appropriate type, tend to reflect the capabilities of the most advanced technologies - in the field of navigation, visual object recognition, artificial intelligence, weapons, and other aspects.And because the latest generation of robots can be incomparably more progressive than those developed a few years ago.
In practice, military-type robotic solutions can be implemented in many different ways.It may be self-propelled units - on separate platforms or integrated with the current types of military equipment - armored vehicles, tanks.This may be an aircraft.This can be underground or underwater device.Among the most modern concepts - robots, androids, that is, those that are similar in appearance to humans and are intended to replace it in a number of combat missions.
State program
Russian Military equipment on the basis of robotic development, thanks to the initiatives of the Defense Ministry, will be created and implemented into operation within the complex target program, approved in 2014.It is expected, in particular, that the share structure of the armed robots in the Russian army can be as high as 30%.However, the bulk of the points corresponding to the program is 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 tested for radio factory in Izhevsk.The machine index MRK-002-BG-57, as evidenced by some publications, has tracked the progress, it can work about 10 hours of battery life, or be controlled remotely from a distance up to 5 km.This Russian combat robot is equipped with a wide range of electronics - rangefinder, thermal imager, calculator.The machine is armed with good: it is the machine gun of Kalashnikov grenade launcher and automatic weapons such as "cord."
device, developed in Izhevsk, weighs about 900 kg and can reach speeds of 45 km / h and runs on petrol motor.Autonomous robots - one of the key differences from foreign counterparts, especially the US, which, as noted by some experts, can fully function effectively only in the control person.
Also, there is information that another Russian combat robot will be created on the basis of the car "Tiger".The corresponding set is equipped with a powerful anti-tank weapons such as "Cornet".However, the public information on this development is very little.
soon the army of the Russian Federation must be received by small reconnaissance robots manufactured by the company "Constellation".They are intended primarily for use underground.These machines are capable of, for example, to determine how much is on the surface of the ground combat materiel, its possible type and the number of soldiers on the same square.Machine from the "Constellations" can execute part programs offline.
Company "Servosila" also produces small robots that may be involved in exploration.For example, the car "engineer" is interesting in that it can climb stairs, grab small objects.Has "Engineer" High Precision visual recognition of surrounding objects, as well as the navigation module.
These are the latest developments in the Russian field of robotics.Consider also other kinds of promising high-tech military products developed by designers of the Russian Federation.
Lasers
latest Russian military equipment - is not only the robots.Among the priorities of the national military-industrial complex - development of laser systems.There is, in particular, the information that the Russian army is very necessary airborne laser systems.As an option - the ones that would 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 armed forces of the state.
Outfit
What other latest Russian developments in terms of advanced technologies can be noted?Among the interesting samples - gear for soldiers, in particular, a set of "Warrior".It is called the battle gear soldier of the future."Warrior" - a high-tech camouflage, consisting of several dozen security features, equipped with a thermal imager, a navigation system, a large number of sensors.At the disposal of the soldier, who has put "Warrior", machine gun or rifle with a night vision sight.Another notable outfit sample products - 6B48 suit designed for tankers.It is characterized by a high degree of protection of the body from the debris fighter.The suit also complemented armored headset.
robots - in the ranks?
But back to the robot.There is evidence that the Russian weapons on the basis of the future development of robotics will be delivered to the army so that on this basis it was possible to complete the entire company.Among the promising areas of application machines - protection of rocket launchers.Also, as expected, the robots will be able to carry out reconnaissance missions, to participate in combat operations.
may be noted that, for example, in the latest US military equipment in the form of robots to protect military facilities are also actively used.In particular, the machine is designed to control MDARS territories where nuclear facilities are located.The Americans are also actively involve unmanned vehicles.
autonomy or control?
In today's environment, observed experts debate regarding whether or not accented develop robotic industry in the direction of giving the machine maximum autonomy.The Americans, in particular, it is not too fond of believing that even advanced, the latest development of weapons of this type can not be fully correct decisions in terms of real combat missions.
course, autonomous robots in armies around the world are now used.About Russian samples we have already said.It may be noted Israeli development - unmanned Harpy.In automatic mode, it may be, in particular, the enemy radar.
Benefits robots
What advantages can have a robot in combat when compared to the features and capabilities with technology-driven people?First of all, it is in many cases significantly higher efficiency of target destruction.The fact that the shooting of a portable weapon, a soldier commits a large percentage of misses.Modern robots can spend much more effective ammunition.
next aspect - the robot does not get tired.His performance does not depend on the time of day.Provided, of course, that access has the resources to recharge his batteries.Robots, provided quality software prorated usually less mistakes when performing the same operations.
Disadvantages robots
In turn, potential errors in the performance of complex operations - including the main disadvantages of robots.The real fight has a large number of psychological nuances.Even the most advanced robots take them into account can not.For example, it is unlikely that the machine can recognize the desire to surrender to the enemy prisoner or a person distinguish military from civilian by circumstantial evidence - the presence of cuts, shapes, etc.Of course, these details are relevant to the type of stand-alone machines.Controlled robot, anyway, take the key decisions in accordance with the commands of man.
robot of the future - what is it?
What is he fighting robot of the future?If we take into consideration a realistic scenario, it is believed to Russian experts, this machine will be characterized primarily by the presence of pronounced competitive advantage to man in terms of the perception of the environment.This may be, for example, the ability to see objects at greater distances, to distinguish objects smaller possess night vision, the ability to recognize the infrared and ultraviolet waves.
In turn, the technological platform on which to operate the robot - land, air, water - will be determined by the specifics of combat missions.
It is possible, experts believe that the standard for certain types of troops solution would be an android robot that can replace soldiers on all the major areas of combat operations.That is, if necessary, take the machine to sit behind the wheel of the aircraft, tank, etc.In this application, independent robotic platform may become less effective solutions.
In turn, self-propelled systems are likely to find their application if will be to counteract the appropriate type of weapons the enemy, that is, in the battles in which human involvement is expected.Fighting in this case will only robots.
Russian robot - like a man
Actually, now separate the trend of the world of robotics - development and production of machines, which suggests the possibility of replacing them in solving specific problems of man.So there became famous thanks to the media, Russian combat robot, which was developed by experts of the Central Research Institute of precision engineering.The machine, presented personally to the President of the Russian Federation, belongs to a class of robotic androids.
manage the development man.That is, this robot is not among autonomous.Features of the machine - the shooting, as well as management of some types of transport, in particular ATV.There is evidence that the robot is an adaptation of a different design, which is designed for use in space - manipulator SAR-401, which has the functions of copying human motion using manipulators and at the same time is able to capture small objects.
The history of the robot, which has become, as some experts, the prototype of "android" shown to the President.Several years ago, Russian researchers decided to create a machine that could be use in rescue work.Long-term development had to have a wide range of functions - that distinguishes it from the world analogues, are characterized, according to some experts, a narrow application.However, unambiguous evidence that would have talked about the continuity of SAR-401 and the robot, which was submitted to the President, at the disposal of the general public is not included.
Competitive solutions
Promising Russian combat robot, able to ride a quad bike - including the most advanced developments in the world, but it does have analogues.In particular, the US agency DARPA, the well-known fact that invented the basic concepts underlying the Internet, has developed a robot android called ATLAS.Thus, the development of new technologies in the field of robotics - is held, according to many experts, the global trend.
robots Androids: the prospect of a real application
What could be the actual use of vehicles, similar to that developed by the Russian Institute of Precision Engineering?First of all, it should be noted that a significant amount of device capabilities, presented to the President, classified.The fact that the robot is able to ride a quad bike and shoot - not all of its functions, is considered by many experts.At the same time, experts say, these devices have yet to be improved mainly in terms of the tasks in an uncertain environment - one that is peculiar to actual combat.
Competitiveness Russian school
What is the readiness of the Russian robotic school actively keeping up with their Western colleagues, and even ahead of them to implement new military developments?Experts' opinions differ on this matter.There are experts who believe that Western robotic industry significantly ahead of the Russian.This is connected with the volume of financing, especially in the 90s, when the scientific base was laid under the current development and the level of infrastructure.In turn, there are experts who believe that Russian designers in no way inferior to the representatives of the western robotics school.
proof - not only Russian combat robot, which was presented to the President.In our country we have all the resources for training robotics industry, especially at the academic level.The universities of the country have a profile for a given area of specialty.At the same time Russian engineers successfully develop robots not only for the needs of the defense industry, but also the civilian cars.Anyway, there are all grounds to say that Russian combat robot, managing ATV - just one of the first examples of the successful implementation of the concepts of design engineers from the Russian Federation.
