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USA: Russia has succeeded in robotic military vehicles

Russia occupies high positions in the use of robotic combat vehicles. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation last week reported that the robotic tank "Uranus-9" was sent to Syria for combat tests. If necessary, it can be equipped with weapons of various types, for example, rockets of the "ground-to-air" class.

The machine, controlled remotely, is equipped with a modern optical guidance system, combining thermal imaging and a system of warning about laser irradiation.

On the introduction of the unmanned demining complex "Uranus-6" in Syria a lot was said, but about "Uranus-9" - no. Military analysts will have to hear feedback about its application in the Arab Republic.

"In fact, the military tests of Uranus-9 in Syria should attract the attention of all major Russian media, because Russians are proud of their new tank of remote control," says Samuel Bendett, a specialist at the Analytical Center for the Naval Forces (CNA). testing such a format could well have been done without attracting attention, "he said.

In fact, the statement of the Russian Defense Ministry can be regarded as an official recognition of the use of a robotic tank abroad.

As follows from the message of the state agency RIA Novosti, the robotic complexes Uran-6, used for mine clearance and multifunctional complexes Uran-9, intended for reconnaissance and fire support operations of units on the battlefield, "proved themselves well in Syria ".

Comments on the case of combat use of the complexes "Uranus-9" yet. But the zone of conflict in Syria has turned for Russia into a testing ground for modern weapons.

Since the introduction of the military contingent to Syria in 2015, the armed forces have tested a whole arsenal in combat conditions, in particular the T-90 tank, the Su-57 fighter-invisible missile, air defense systems and cruise ship-borne cruise missiles.

“While helping the fraternal people, we tested over 200 new types of weapons,” said Vladimir Shamanov, chairman of the State Duma's defense committee.

Despite widespread use of robotic combat equipment around the world, unmanned ground systems remain largely unchecked, and the introduction of Uranus-9 will be a serious step towards changing this situation. In comparison, China, the United States and other countries have already developed tank-drones, but they continue to study the features of their application and look for ways to eliminate shortcomings.

The purpose of any drones is to reduce the risk of loss of personnel. However, comparing this technique with drones, in the operation of which there are no problems with the reception of commands and signals, robotic systems often encounter signal blocking due to landscape features, urban development or other physical obstacles, which negatively affects the range of use. Therefore, the operator of robotic military equipment should be located at a short distance, which puts him at risk.

This specificity of work raises questions about how the systems will manifest themselves in a radar war, in which the signal can be jammed or intercepted by enemy equipment. Earlier in Syria, it was reported that radio interference created by Russian equipment disrupted American reconnaissance operations, introducing into the work of drone positioning systems.

"Uranus-9" is controlled at a distance of 1,8 miles (2,9 km). The automatic tower can completely take over the functions for detecting and tracking the target, but the last decision to open fire remains for the operator.

The Russian approach to the use of deadly automated systems is similar to the American one. In the United States, the term "war of the centaurs" is used (it is like the name of a half-cone-semi-human being in ancient Greek mythology). This approach is based on the control of a person over automatic weapons, which effectively complement his individual abilities, and do not replace them with a machine.

Unmanned aerial vehicles have already changed the manner of conducting air combat and in the nearest future robotic systems will be involved in military battles of different types of troops.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous land vehicles have considerable potential for conducting military operations. Together with conventional manned tanks, they can provide additional combat power, they can also be used in more dangerous areas to open fire on enemy positions or destroy defensive structures. Their main advantage is that all operations can be performed from a safe distance for the operator.

The Russian military reported that "Uranus-9" is intended for reconnaissance on enemy territory or in terrain conditions.

The introduction of "Uranus-9" showed that the era of unmanned tanks has come, only the question remains how far the armed forces will use them.

Now Russia is one of the first to accumulate experience in this direction, and its further steps in the development and operation of this type of weapons may entail consequences for other states and tactics of combat.

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