Israel Unveils 'Robot Army' With Autonomous Drones and Ground Vehicles

Elbit Systems' FUSE division has revealed a suite of autonomous combat systems, including attack drones, drone swarm launchers, and ground robots, a day after the Israeli military announced the formation of a new robotics and artificial intelligence command. These advanced systems, some already in IDF use, embody the vision of "robotic forces" where a single operator can manage an entire array of machines.

The "One2Many" operational concept allows a human operator to assign a mission, with the system then distributing tasks, planning movements, and managing dozens of drones or robots simultaneously. This aligns with the IDF's plan to establish a dedicated robotics corps, announced by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir as a response to lessons learned from recent conflicts. Zamir stated that the battlefield is changing rapidly and the military must adapt.

Among the showcased systems are the Terminathor attack drone, the ManiTude intelligence-gathering drone, and the MagniXor tactical drone. Elbit also presented autonomous docking stations for drones and autonomous ground vehicles from its subsidiary Bluewhite. The systems are designed for various roles, including intelligence gathering, carrying or deploying munitions, and laser designation for precision strikes.

Notable capabilities include operating attack drones in GPS-denied or jammed environments, with some systems utilizing fiber optic connections that can switch to alternative communication channels if severed. The decision for final strike authorization remains with human operators. The company also demonstrated a platform capable of carrying five to six potent M66 munitions, utilizing wind calculations for accurate targeting.

Further innovations include a "rock"-disguised drone, capable of remaining dormant for years until activated, and large drones that can deploy smaller ones deep within enemy territory. Ground robots equipped with thermal cameras and lidar can autonomously navigate and avoid obstacles. Elbit emphasizes that these robotic systems are intended to augment, not replace, human soldiers, aiming to reduce casualties by sending robots into dangerous situations first.

One system, the THOR multi-rotor drone, has already been selected by the U.S. Army for its ability to perform autonomous takeoffs and landings with various payloads, providing small units with independent aerial capability. Over 1,200 THOR platforms are in operational use globally, with Elbit establishing production lines in the U.S. to supply thousands of units.