The Application and Impact of Ground Robots on Modern Battlefields

Author: Yuanting Defense

Abstract: The European Army Interoperability Report, Ground in Modern Warfare, states that the automation of military vehicles and systems has long been a prominent feature of warfare, and the emergence and development of ground robots has completely changed the way modern warfare is conducted. Since their deployment in battlefields such as Afghanistan and Iraq, ground robots have developed into increasingly capable and autonomous combat entities, becoming a key component of modern military operations. Recent conflicts (such as the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and the Russia-Ukraine conflict) have highlighted the significant impact of military robots on the battlefield, making this field a further focus of attention for militaries around the world. The development of unmanned ground vehicles has been slow due to the challenges and problems associated with their integration into military operations and ground forces. This report aims to provide an overview of the development of ground robots, explore the reasons for their increasing popularity in warfare, explain the potential challenges of their widespread integration, and briefly analyze their deployment in the current Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Keywords: Ground robots, Autonomous systems, Modern battlefield, Russia-Ukraine conflict

Definition of Robot

Robotic systems consist of two key elements: (1) unmanned platforms or vehicles; and (2) autonomous or semi-autonomous operation. "Autonomous" means no human intervention, while "semi-autonomous" means remote human control. In addition, Simon Monckton, an expert at the Canadian Defense Research and Development Department, said that since the beginning of the 21st century, with the popularization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned ground vehicles, the application of military robots has been strong. Robots have spread to all military fields. Because ground robots face many obstacles and challenges, higher technical requirements are placed on ground robots to ensure that they can perform their tasks uninterruptedly.

Development of ground robots

The modernization of military equipment has triggered an arms race for technological superiority, a race known as the "robotic revolution." The booming market for robotics and autonomous systems covers a wide range of robots of varying sizes and capabilities. In terms of ground robots, the range includes major large-scale weapons such as the U.S. Army's XM30 infantry fighting vehicle and the robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) in the U.S. Next Generation Combat Vehicle program, as well as other throwable surveillance and reconnaissance robots. Even among robotic combat vehicles, there are different types. For example, the light robotic combat vehicle (RCV-L) weighs more than 10 tons and measures approximately 224 x 88 x 94 inches; the medium robotic combat vehicle (RCV-M) weighs 10 to 20 tons and measures approximately 230 x 107 x 94 inches; the heavy robotic combat vehicle (RCV-H) weighs 20 to 30 tons and measures approximately 350 x 144 x 142 inches. These new tanks of various sizes have increased the distance between combatants and the enemy, effectively protecting the combatants' personal safety. This motivation to protect lives has undoubtedly promoted the advancement of ground robot technology.

"Miniaturization" is another factor in the development of ground robots in modern warfare. A large number of small ground robots have emerged on the market, reflecting the "growing demand for smaller and more flexible robots in urban warfare." These robots include TALON V, "Dragon Walker-20" (DR-20), "Avenger 2.0" (Avenger 2.0) medium robot and NEA S reconnaissance robot. So far, ground robots have mainly performed tasks such as search and rescue, surveillance and reconnaissance, mine clearance and firefighting. These small unmanned ground vehicles can easily perform tasks that are highly dangerous or unsuitable for human performance, which undoubtedly changes the characteristics of the battlefield. In addition to ground penetrating radar (GPR), small unmanned ground vehicles are also equipped with advanced and cameras, such as biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear (CBRN)/hazardous materials (HAZMET) sensors, with multiple capabilities and functions, which can provide risk clearance and other support services before the deployment of troops. The increase in automation allows combatants to process large amounts of data in a short period of time, so as to respond to emergencies faster than their opponents.

Furthermore, these “micro” UGVs are small and extremely cost-effective, making them affordable even when purchased in large numbers. Similarly, combining large ground vehicles with robotic kits can further enhance the value of older military vehicles and enable the continued automation of military ground vehicles. The U.S. Army’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), which cannot be effectively used in conflicts due to insufficient protective armor, can be upgraded to UGVs through the application of robotic kits. These kits include sensors and command systems that can transform existing vehicles into autonomous vehicles, thereby reducing potential casualties. Combining the two reusable elements together can strengthen ground robotic forces at minimal cost.

() can continuously improve the capabilities of autonomous robots, which means that ground robots are increasingly capable of performing tasks alongside humans. By 2030, the number of unmanned ground vehicles worldwide is expected to grow from the current 15,000 to 40,000. The armies of Germany, Britain and other countries have incorporated unmanned ground vehicles such as Ziesel and Type X into military training; the United States, Britain and Australia have conducted joint exercises involving unmanned ground vehicles such as Viking; the Czech Republic, Spain and other countries are also actively developing systems such as Taros and SR-0001, all of which show that the application of unmanned ground vehicles is showing an upward trend. However, although the armies of various countries are using unmanned ground vehicles to strengthen military training, combat robots are far from being fully autonomous.

Obstacles and challenges in popularizing ground robots in combat

In “The AUSA’s Big Convention Was Full of Armed Robots,” Patrick Tucker and Lauren C. Willi note that Western nations have reservations about purchasing and deploying fully autonomous military equipment. Common barriers and challenges fall into three categories: (1) drawbacks; (2) potential to escalate conflict; and (3) ethical issues. First, while unmanned ground vehicles have great potential to reduce costs and human risk, autonomous systems may have deficiencies in intelligence and decision-making capabilities that make them unsuitable for certain missions.

LIDAR sensors provide long-range vision in both light and dark environments, helping people identify and avoid objects. However, such LIDARs are susceptible to bad weather, dust and lush vegetation, and laser systems that emit light waves can be easily detected by related equipment. In addition, despite great technological advances, unmanned systems can never be foolproof. Therefore, all kinds of ground robots require strict human supervision. Secondly, the precision of ground robots in combat and the reliance of combatants on autonomous systems may lead to increased risks for combatants. Military analysts such as Donald Sando have warned against over-reliance on technology, emphasizing that technology will increase the complexity and cruelty of war. This point is often intertwined with the ethical issues of deploying ground robots. However, this concern is more relevant to large unmanned combat vehicles, because small unmanned reconnaissance vehicles usually perform tasks at long distances outside the defense zone, and the potential harm to human life is not great. The emergence of deep fake technology is also worrying.

Deepfakes involve the use of artificially intelligent realities. In war, this technology can be used to spread false information and manipulate troops to carry out false orders. For example, palm-sized reconnaissance robots sent into buildings to perform inspection and surveillance tasks are easily misled by deepfakes. Similarly, attacks on autonomous ground robots may also have adverse consequences for human life. Therefore, concerns about the use of autonomous robots arise from the possibility that deepfakes can disrupt the military decision-making process or change the outcome of decisions. Finally, there are important ethical issues surrounding the deployment and use of ground robots. The lack of clear and recognized guidelines on the accountability of (ground) robots for war crimes will face significant challenges in the widespread use of robots on the battlefield. Stakeholders have warned that autonomous robots may violate the principle of jus ad bellum and highlighted the risk of unpredictable decision-making by autonomous systems. Therefore, human involvement in decision-making remains crucial to ensure the ethical behavior of robots and the attribution of potential war crimes, but this is unlikely to hinder the deployment of small unmanned ground vehicles, which are currently mainly used for reconnaissance and mine clearance tasks.

Ground Robots on the Modern Battlefield

The impact of unmanned ground vehicles and ground robots on modern warfare is particularly evident in the current Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is worth mentioning that Ukraine has become a testing ground for military robots around the world. The use of ground robots in Ukraine reflects a unique robotic battlefield that affects the views of countries around the world on the development of autonomous weapons. As Russia and Ukraine have launched more and more ground robots, the inhibition of countries around the world on the development of autonomous weapons has also decreased. It can be said that these escalating combat systems are prompting other countries to develop robots that can increase the distance between the enemy and our side on the battlefield and improve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. At present, ground robots are mainly deployed in multiple mission areas such as logistics support, medical evacuation and mine clearance. Ukrainian officials have received a large number of requests from robot suppliers hoping to test the combat practicality of their own systems, which fully reflects Ukraine’s key role as a testing ground for ground robots.