Military fielding small robots in Afghanistan to protect troops
The U.s. military is trying to rapidly field robots and other cutting-edge, counter-bomb technology to Afghanistan to protect troops from the leading case of casualties: hidden bombs, USA Today reports.
The rushed equipment includes 650 small robots, called Recon Scouts, which troops can throw over walls and through windows, letting them look for bombs in otherwise blind spots, USA Today reports.
Between June and August, U.S. troops detected or were hit by 5,088 IEDs that killed 63 troops and wounded 1,234, USA Today reported earlier this month, citing Defense Department records.
Troops have increased the number of foot patrols -- a counterinsurgency strategy that has servicemembers out among the Afghan people -- but as a result, the strategy exposes them more to the dangers of bombs, which has led to an increase in the number of troops suffering from devastating wounds, to include arm, leg and multiple-limb amputations as well as genital injuries.
The U.S. military is spending about $13.4 million on small robots and other technology in Afghanistan, USA Today reports.
