China’s state media announced on Wednesday that “robot wolves,” resembling dog-like mechanical devices, have been incorporated into the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) military drills.
The new drone appears to be a more advanced version of what China showcased last year during joint military exercises with Cambodia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m3iuhplvqe
According to the state-run Global Times, these robot wolves can “achieve coordinated combat,” carry “mission-specific equipment,” and use a “flock tactic,” similar to real wolf pack behavior.
The footage displayed the robot navigating challenging terrain, even climbing stairs. CCTV noted that the robot is capable of “performing precision strikes from up to 100 meters away.”
It’s likely that the robot pack is controlled by a “pack leader,” which sends reconnaissance data to a human operator and coordinates the actions of the robots within the group.
This concept echoes tactics used in aviation drones, particularly highlighted during the Russian-Ukraine War, where both sides became aware of the vulnerability of drone swarms to electronic warfare and jamming. The fewer drones that need to communicate over long distances, the less susceptible they are to interference.
The video footage released by Chinese media is quite similar to previous propaganda displays. Some of these military robots showcased impressive capabilities, like jumping and performing backflips over tough terrain, but their effectiveness in actual combat scenarios is yet to be determined.
In contrast, the US military is also developing robotic systems, such as armed robot dogs and Q-UGVs, which feature rifles similar to the Chinese robot wolves but also serve other functions like reconnaissance and equipment transport.
US Marines are contemplating the use of anti-tank rocket launchers on Q-UGVs, which could ultimately serve as a defensive measure against aerial drones. Moreover, the US military has reportedly created a quadruped drone AI system that’s becoming adept at targeting small drones, a capability that has gained importance in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
