Air Force Research Lab gives new meaning to ‘battlebots’

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Darrick Lee
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFPN) --  An unidentified man walks toward a security forces vehicle. A loud, firm voice warns the man to “halt and be identified.” The man does not comply and continues to advance. The vehicle backs up cautiously flashing its red and blue lights to make sure the man knows he is dealing with security forces.

He continues his aggressive movement toward the patrol.

Suddenly, a blast of pepper spray hits the man. He falls to the ground, and security forces vehicle moves closer, keeping the suspect under observation … until humans come to apprehend him.

This was the scenario here, when the Air Force Research Laboratory unveiled the remote, detection, challenge and response system recently. Officials from the laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, visited here to demonstrate how unmanned systems might conduct security forces missions.

The experiment integrated robotics into the day-to-day security forces mission, said Kevin Hodges, AFRL robotics program manager.

Two unmanned vehicles were displayed. One appeared to be a turbo-charged all-terrain vehicle; the other resembled a miniature tank. They were loaded with cameras and sensors, as well as robotic equipment needed to make them function without a human nearby. Both vehicles are designed to save lives by confronting adversaries and conducting surveillance, laboratory officials said.

Humans, like Airman 1st Class Tristan White, control the robots from remote locations. Technicians from the laboratory trained the 90th Security Forces Squadron Airman to use the robots for gathering accurate mission data.

“These systems are not intended to replace human interaction,” Mr. Hodges said. “They remain under human control at all times and are designed to help our Airmen by keeping them out of harm’s way. Our focus is saving lives.”

Laboratory officials said they envision these types of robots providing perimeter defense for Air Force bases and forward-deployed units. Data gathered from the experiment here may be used to make that vision a reality, officials said.

Mr. Hodges said the robots provide an advantage for security forces by providing safe surveillance and forward presence without risking injury or loss of life. (Courtesy of Air Force Space Command News Service)