What starts off as a military endeavour, no doubt permeates into society, so at Robotics News we decided to look at the different areas that Robotics has evolved in the military sphere and here is what we found.
Robotics and autonomous systems have the advantage of being able to carry out activities for durations that are not possible by humans and unlike humans can be seen as expendable, although a costly expense, expendable, nonetheless. Against a backdrop of an unstable world teetering on the precipice of war with small skirmishes in Europe, Africa and Asia, it is only sensible to maintain the cutting edge of technology in this sphere.
Autonomous systems include: Unmanned Ariel Systems (UAVs), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UCVs), Unmanned Maritime Systems – including Surface and Underwater Vehicles, Soldier Support – Exoskeletons and Medical Evacuation Robots, AI integrated Autonomous Systems – Swarming drones and Autonomous Targeting and Decision Support, Surveillance and Reconnaissance – Micro Robots and Ground reconnaissance bots.
The market size for these systems was estimated to be around $19.7 Billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $32.5 Billion USD by 2030. Just to give you an example of some regular spends the US DOD’s “Replicator” programme is budgeting around $500 million spend for fiscal years of 2024 and 2025. The European Defence Fund is ramping up it’s investment from Euro 590 million between 2017-2020 to a planned Euro 7.3 Billion for the period between 2021-2027, including Euro 1.1 Billion allocated for 2021 alone.
At the 2025 NATO summit in the Hague, member states committed to boosting defence and innovation spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, which includes 1.5% devoted to defence innovation (AI and Robotics).
The United States has the largest military programme which includes Replicator Initiative, which is a Pentagon program aiming to field thousands of small, attritable autonomous systems (drones, ground, maritime) by 2025 to counter China’s numerical advantage. Loyal Wingman / Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) an Air Force program to develop autonomous “wingman” drones (e.g., Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, Kratos Valkyrie) to fly alongside crewed aircraft like the F-35. Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) an U.S. Army program developing light, medium, and heavy robotic vehicles to operate in conjunction with manned armoured units. SMET (Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport) an Autonomous mule-like UGV to carry 1,000+ lbs of gear and reduce soldier load. Orca XLUUV, Boeing’s extra-large unmanned undersea vehicle for ISR, mine warfare, and long-duration missions.
Europe comes in second, with THeMIS (Estonia – Milrem Robotics) a Modular unmanned ground vehicle used for logistics, ISR, and even armed configurations. Adopted by multiple NATO members. MUSV (Maritime Unmanned Surface Vessel) – UK, France, others. European navies developing autonomous vessels for minehunting, patrol, and anti-submarine warfare. European Defence Fund Robotics Projects, EDF has funded multiple robotics R&D programs, including autonomous swarms, counter-drone systems, and AI-enabled ground robots.
Then comes Russia with Uran-9 Combat UGV, Armored, remotely operated ground vehicle equipped with cannons, machine guns, and anti-tank missiles. Tested in Syria, though with mixed success. The Poseidon Nuclear UUV a Strategic undersea “doomsday” drone designed to carry nuclear payloads.
China is a major player in this sphere, although not lacking in manpower, they have invested heavily in AI Swarming Drones capable of saturating air defenses. Demonstrations include hundreds of drones launched simultaneously from trucks or aircraft. Unmanned Surface & Underwater Vessels, a Development of long-endurance USVs and UUVs to extend maritime reach in the South China Sea. Sharp Claw UGVs, Small tracked robotic vehicles for reconnaissance and light combat roles.
Although a small and relatively new nation, Israel has invested in Robotics and Autonomous systems including Harop Loitering Munition “Suicide drone” capable of loitering and autonomously striking radar or targets. Jaguar UGV, a Semi-autonomous armed ground robot deployed along borders for patrol and surveillance and IAI Heron TP & Elbit Hermes 900 a Long-endurance drones used for reconnaissance and strike missions.
