Marines counting on robots to keep them out of harm's way.

• Author: Parsons, Dan
• Position: Robotics

Marine Corps researchers are on the constant lookout for technologies that can keep ground troops out of harm's way or make their tough jobs easier. Autonomous robots--on land, sea and in the air--are increasingly seen as an end to that means.

"The potential out there in the field is enormous," Brig. Gen. Mark Wise, commander of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, said during a recent technology demonstration at Fort Pickett, Va. Robots that can move and perform tasks on their own with little or no human intervention can have an impact beyond their initial purpose, he said. The machines can free up Marines to do numerous other tasks, and make small units more effective.

Taking the technology from test ranges to the field has been the hard part. In the case of the warfighting lab, Wise is chartered only to identify new capabilities and report on their effectiveness, not to recommend any purchases.

Autonomy also faces backlash when it threatens the status quo, said Stan DeGeus, senior business director for unmanned surface vessels at Textron Systems. The Air Force has had more than a decade of solid experience flying unmanned air-craft in war zones and still its programs have integrated autonomous operation with caution and sometimes reluctance. Autonomous flight is primarily employed for long-term surveillance and reconnaissance. Offensive missions require a human to actively monitor the UAV, and to regain control before a weapon is fired.

"There are a lot of paradigms that have to be broken for these technologies to gain acceptance and become programs of record," DeGeus said.

Nevertheless, an autonomous helicopter is making inroads as a cargo delivery vehicle in Afghanistan. The Marine Corps is also testing robotic trucks that could reduce its logistical footprint. Industry officials believe the Navy could benefit by automating mine hunting and intelligence gathering at sea, among other missions.

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Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, Marine Corps deputy commandant for combat development and integration, recently observed autonomous truck technology at the Fort Pickett technology demonstration. A 37-year veteran, Mills said he is open to any technology that would improve efficiency and keep troops safe.

Mills praised the technology for its potential to quickly evacuate wounded Marines and lighten the load they carry--which are two of his greatest concerns.

"It reduces the risk to all Marines ... that's the most important...