The US Marines recently conducted a tactical training exercise that involved mounting a rocket launcher on a curious quadrupedal robot dubbed the "robotic goat," Interesting Engineering reports.
The exercise, which took place on Sept 9, is part of a more extensive suite of autonomous system tests conducted by the Marines but has garnered attention for its innovative approach.
The "Robot Goat" Takes Center Stage
At the heart of this novel experiment was a Chinese-made "Unitree Go1," a robot typically referred to as a "robotic dog." However, for reasons yet to be explained, this particular variant became known as the "robotic goat."
Notably affordable and widely available online, the Unitree Go1 was fitted with an M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) RPG, a NATO-standard armament known for its simplicity, disposability, and ease of use.
The M72 LAW, in service with the US forces since 1963, weighs a mere 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) and boasts rockets with a maximum range of 3,280 feet (approximately 1 km), though it is most effective when fired at a distance of 650 feet (198 meters).
Typically, this kind of weapon is used in close-quarters urban combat scenarios. Still, the Marines decided to test its viability when mounted on a remotely operated robot like the "Unitree Go1."
