US Army tests AI-enhanced armed robot dogs in Middle East counter-drone exercise

The US Army recently conducted tests of AI-powered robot dogs equipped with firearms at the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant advancement in military technology.

Photos from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) show the four-legged unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), outfitted with an AR-15/M16 style rifle on a swiveling turret, undergoing trials as part of a counter-unmanned aerial system exercise held in mid-September.

A US Army Central spokesperson noted that this armed robot dog was one of several "non-counter-sUAS" systems tested alongside 15 counter-drone platforms during the event. Although details on its specific functions were limited, the robot engaged several stationary ground targets during the exercise.

This test highlights the US Department of Defense’s growing interest in autonomous ground vehicles with integrated weapons systems, part of a broader push to enhance military capabilities with innovative, unmanned technology.

The Pentagon has been actively exploring the integration of weaponry with robotic systems over recent years.

The Marine Corps, for example, has tested quadruped robots equipped with the SENTRY remote weapon system by Onyx Industries and even anti-tank rocket launchers. Meanwhile, the Army is considering outfitting similar robotic units with the new 6.8mm XM7 rifle, developed under the Next Generation Squad Weapon program.

Internationally, the US military is not alone in developing combat-capable robot dogs. In May, the Chinese military showcased its own armed robot dog in a training exercise in Cambodia. The system, presented by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, demonstrated reconnaissance and target engagement abilities in urban combat scenarios.