Military Robots & Autonomous Systems: The Changing Battlefield

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has once again drawn the attention of military planners towards military robots and autonomous systems. Military robots are autonomous robots or remote-controlled mobile robots created for military functions, from transport to search & rescue and strike mission. Some of these robotic systems are presently in use, and several such robots are under development.

Military robots and autonomous systems (MRAS) include a wide array of interconnected technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), self-learning machines, unmanned aerial, ground, and maritime vehicles. The growing use of MRAS is fundamentally changing the way armed forces fight their battles by:

• improving situational awareness and sustainment
• simplifying movement and maneuver
• increasing the reach and range of the army, air force and navy
• decreasing the soldier’s physical and cognitive workloads
• enhancing force protection

Artificial Intelligence will have a massive impact on MRAS technology. AI will improve the ability of Military robots and autonomous systems to operate autonomously while undertaking tasks like off-road driving and more importantly handling huge amounts of data in order to simply decision making for military commanders. Ukrainian defence ministry has released a video that shows a Ukrainian Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASvs) successfully targeting a Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate of the Russian Navy

Amsterdam based Market Forecast’s latest study “Military Robots and Autonomous Systems - Market and Technology Forecast to 2030” examines, analyzes, and predicts the evolution of airborne military robot systems, technologies, markets, and outlays (expenditures) over the next 8 years – 2022 -2030 in the military robots and autonomous system industry.  It also examines military robot markets geographically, focusing on the top 95% of global markets, in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Throughout the report they show how military robots and autonomous systems are used today to add real value. To provide the most thorough and realistic forecast, this report provides a twin-scenario analysis, including “steady state”, emergence of new military robot and autonomous system technology.