Remote-controlled tanks to wage the wars of the future

REMOTE-controlled tanks, driverless transport vehicles and drones that can evacuate injured troops is just one direction the Army is taking as it plans how to wage war in the future.

More than 300 British and US troops were gathered last night for Exercise Autonomous Warrior, a four-week £15million war game.

Helped by 30 mainly UK defence contracts, they are testing the limits of the possible as the Ministry of Defence maps out how autonomous equipment can help

WAR BY WIRE: Troops testing a remote-controlled armoured vehicle

unit in the line of sight but out of range of enemy fire.

Another innovation is the Malloy Hoverbike, which can carry equipment and medical supplies to front-line troops. In a more serious injury, an armoured airborne paraglider would fly casualties out of harm’s way.

Titan Sentry, a robotic “wheelbarrow”, quietly scouts the terrain ahead while Titan Strike is an armed supply carrier.

The Ministry once led military innovation but now, despite an £800million defence innovation fund over 10 years, it is the private sector that is taking the lead. Autonomous Warrior is a meeting of minds between military and industry – industry uses troops to test equipment, in the hope the Army will find some of it useful.

However, the days when a drone can be fitted with face-recognition technology, programmed not to harm civilians and, if ever, allowed to choose its target, are still more than a decade away.

Suggestions the advances are designed to ease the Army’s savage recruitment problems were dismissed by senior colonels last night.

“This robotised equipment will one day be a great asset, but it will work alongside our troops to enhance operations and minimise casualties,” said one source.

“This kit may help us take ground, but you need boots on the ground to hold it.”