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Fort Bragg Soldiers Put Robots to the Combat Test
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
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“This is history,” Col. Bruce Jette, deputy of the Objective Force Task Force, said. “Nobody has ever used a robot in combat before.”



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Jette said the soldiers have seen the value of the robots and even suggested more uses for them, including as security monitors, or listening posts.



QIQAY, Afghanistan -- AP
Hermes the robot edged its way into the dark cave, its treads spinning over the dust and small rocks until a boulder appeared in its path. No problem. The tiny machine dropped its side arms, lifted onto and over the boulder, and rolled on, its two cameras sending images to an operator waiting outside.

The war in Afghanistan is the first time robots are being used by the U.S. military as tools for combat. Proponents believe sending them into caves, buildings or other dark areas ahead of troops will help prevent U.S. casualties.

On Monday, Hermes was first to enter many of the dozen caves being searched by troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C. Mounted with two cameras and rolling on lime-green wheels and tan treads, the 1-foot-tall, 3-foot-long Hermes disappeared into the darkness, sending images back to a controller who used a joystick to maneuver the robot over boulders, around obstacles and through ground that could be mined or otherwise dangerous.

“The robot is a great addition to our team,” said Lt. Col. Ron Rose, who led Monday’s mission in Qiqay, about 20 miles southeast of Khost in eastern Afghanistan, where U.S. forces are searching for remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaida. “It is going to prove its worth.”

A one-mile stretch of land along a dried-up riverbed here holds at least a dozen caves, some with roughly hewn entrances and shallow depths, others with almost perfectly arched entrances. All were potential hiding places.

Hermes traversed the entire length of two tunnels, coming out safely on the other side. It found no danger, ensuring that the area was safe for soldiers.
(More: The Shelby Star News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

Dan