August 13, 2004: The 150 UGV (unmanned ground vehicles) sent to Iraq so far have suffered about a ten percent "death" rate. Over 70 percent of these losses were in combat, or, usually, while examining or disabling a roadside bomb. Others have been destroyed in accidents or because of component failure. Five different models are being used, and the performance of each is carefully monitored so that the new "standard model UGVs" being planned will avoid the flaws of the current ones. The new standard UGVs are expected to appear in two or three years. In the meantime, many other new models are being created, tested and sent off to combat. Some of the new ones carry weapons, which will be operated remotely by a soldier or marine.
Bush Lied, Droids Died! |