An unmanned aerial vehicle flying over the East Sea detects signs of infiltration from the North Korean military. It sends the information to a command-control center at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and unmanned combat aircraft and submarines begin conducting surgical strikes on major enemy targets.
Ground troops and combat robots are deployed to the enemy headquarters. Robots carry out a reconnaissance mission, transmitting images of enemy forcesââ¬â¢ locations to computerized screens displayed on soldiersââ¬â¢ wristwatches on a real-time basis.
Our forces wipe out enemies, ending the battle.
This kind of a war scenario seen in a science fiction film like ``Star Warsââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ is likely to become a reality in about 10 years, as the government is accelerating plans to equip the South Korean military with high-tech unmanned weapons systems and versatile combat robotic systems.
The development of military robot systems is in line with the Defense Ministryââ¬â¢s 15-year military reform measures to build ``network-centricââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ armed forces suitable for future scientific warfare.
`Robot Combatantsââ¬â¢
A soldier looks at a prototype of the Quadruped Legged Robot, a multi-role robot for reconnaissance and landmine removal operations being jointly developed by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and Rotem company, at the Defense Asia 2006 in the Kyeryongdae military headquarters in South Chungchong Province on Oct. 17./ Yonhap
The Army is pushing for a three-phase combat robot development project to build three types of robots for use in combat situations, in cooperation with the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and other private industrial counterparts, such as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
The Ministry of Information and Communication is also taking part in the robot development program.
In the first stage, the joint research team of the agencies plans to develop the portable reconnaissance robot and the landmine detection vehicle as early as 2012.
The 4.8-ton landmine detection vehicle will be similar to the U.S. Army's ``Meerkatââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ vehicles for spotting buried anti-personnel or anti-tank landmines and to search for bombs and other threats to soldiers.
The reconnaissance robot will be mainly used in patrolling inside enemy areas, such as bunkers and caves, and to disrupt difficult-to-access improvised explosive devices, said Choi Chang-gon of the ADDââ¬â¢s robot development department.
``Once completed, the robot systems will effectively replace many military missions now conducted by soldiers, such as surveillance, patrolling, detection of landmines and shooting at enemies,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ said the researcher.
Weighing less than 20 kilograms fully loaded, the robot, molded after the U.S. Armyââ¬â¢s iRobot PackBot EOD, can be hand-carried and deployed by a single operator with a remote control. It will be able to explore rugged terrain with sophisticated navigation systems.
The robot will be equipped with extendable arms, a sensor to detect chemical weapons, explosives and smoke bombs. Once completed, the robot systems will be deployed to infantry and anti-terrorist units, according to Army officials.
An unmanned fixed-style electronic border-guard system has recently been developed by Samsung Techwin. The system, which is able to detect moving targets at distances of 4 kilometers and 2 kilometers in day and night, respectively, is to be deployed to guard posts in frontline units near the Demilitarized Zone by the end of this year.
In the second stage between 2013 and 2020, a horse-like versatile robot will debut. The ADD and the Ministry of Information and Communication are investing some $35 million in the development program.
The robot will be capable of conducting reconnaissance, search-and-surveillance missions and removing landmines. It will be armed with various weapons and operated by remote control and its own intelligence scheme. It will have six to eight extendable legs with wheels allowing it to move like an insect over uneven terrain.
The multi-role robot system will also be used in patrolling along the wire-fences near the inter-Korean land and sea borders to prevent North Korean troops from infiltrating into the South.
``We are confident that these robots will play a key role in assisting our ground troops in effectively addressing various security initiatives,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ said Lt. Col. Sohn Byung-hwan of the Armyââ¬â¢s public affairs office.
By 2025, the Army plans to introduce unmanned state-of-the-art vehicles, called Experimental Autonomous Vehicles (XAV), for use in light and heavy combat situations.
Equipped with large-caliber weapons, the vehicles will be directed by a remote control system or move autonomously via its own artificial intelligence system and be capable of operating under any weather conditions, according to Choi.
``South Koreaââ¬â¢s robot technology is about 10 years behind that of the United States now. But the gap is getting closer and closer to make it five years by 2015,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ he added.
Under the ``Future Combat Systemââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ project, the United States have spent about $19 billion in developing combat robots and used such systems in Bosnia and Iraq.
Scientific Training Exercise
The military is enhancing its training methods by using high-tech digital communication networks, as part of preparedness efforts for the information-oriented nature of future warfare.
In September last year, the Army finished building the second largest training camp in the world, the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC), which boasts state-of-the-art training capabilities, including the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES).
The government spent about 280 billion won ($300 million) in develop the advanced training facility for seven years.
The MILES is a training system that provides a realistic battlefield environment for soldiers involved in training exercises. It offers tactical engagement simulations for direct fire force-on-force training using eye-safe laser ``bullets.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢
In the training camp, located in Hongchon, Kangwon Province, two battalion-level forces engage in a simulation battle, using 5,600 kinds of weapons systems, including tanks, anti-armor vehicles, helicopters, 106mm cannon rifles, K2/K3 rifles, K201 grenade launchers, machine guns and other ancillary items.
Each individual, weapon and vehicle in the training exercise has MILES gear that senses hits and performs assessments.
All information on situations on the battlefield, including the number of casualties, soldiersââ¬â¢ locations, kinds of weapons systems being used by enemy forces and lethality of specific weapons, are transmitted to the command-and-control center on a real-time basis through laser transmitters attached to soldiers and weapons systems.
Commanders analyze this information and direct combat strategies to training units through radios or digital signals.
The information integrating accuracy is about 99 percent, higher than training camps in other countries with an average of 95 percent, according to reports. Currently, only 10 countries, such as the United States, Britain and France, have science-based training facilities. In scale, the new training camp is the second largest after the U.S. militaryââ¬â¢s.
South Korea became the fifth nation to build this type of high-tech training camp with its own technology, following the United States, Japan, Germany and France. It already has several simulation training camps of company level.
``The construction of the advanced training system definitely shows the Korean militaryââ¬â¢s steps toward a self-reliant, future-oriented unit,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ Army Maj. Lee Jin-woo said. ``It also reflects the militaryââ¬â¢s firm mandate to use technology to give young soldiers more compelling and realistic battlefield experience to make them quality forces.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢
KCTC vice-head Col. Choi Sung-soo said the simulation exercise system will also help solve many problems that have resulted from the field training of armed forces, such as noise pollution, environmental destruction and forest fires.
By reducing the use of live ammunition, about 270 billion won ($280 million) of the defense budget will be annually saved, he added.
After a pilot program for five battalions last year, the Army plans to implement the simulation training exercise for 52 battalions every year and expand the training to regimental forces, said Choi.
South Korea maintains a 690,000-strong armed force against North Koreaââ¬â¢s 1.2-million-strong military. The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
Under the ``Defense Reform 2020,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ the number of troops will be reduced to 500,000, while introducing high-tech weapons systems in stages.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200610/kt2006103114483711990.htm
Ground troops and combat robots are deployed to the enemy headquarters. Robots carry out a reconnaissance mission, transmitting images of enemy forcesââ¬â¢ locations to computerized screens displayed on soldiersââ¬â¢ wristwatches on a real-time basis.
Our forces wipe out enemies, ending the battle.
This kind of a war scenario seen in a science fiction film like ``Star Warsââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ is likely to become a reality in about 10 years, as the government is accelerating plans to equip the South Korean military with high-tech unmanned weapons systems and versatile combat robotic systems.
The development of military robot systems is in line with the Defense Ministryââ¬â¢s 15-year military reform measures to build ``network-centricââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ armed forces suitable for future scientific warfare.
`Robot Combatantsââ¬â¢
A soldier looks at a prototype of the Quadruped Legged Robot, a multi-role robot for reconnaissance and landmine removal operations being jointly developed by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and Rotem company, at the Defense Asia 2006 in the Kyeryongdae military headquarters in South Chungchong Province on Oct. 17./ Yonhap
The Army is pushing for a three-phase combat robot development project to build three types of robots for use in combat situations, in cooperation with the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and other private industrial counterparts, such as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
The Ministry of Information and Communication is also taking part in the robot development program.
In the first stage, the joint research team of the agencies plans to develop the portable reconnaissance robot and the landmine detection vehicle as early as 2012.
The 4.8-ton landmine detection vehicle will be similar to the U.S. Army's ``Meerkatââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ vehicles for spotting buried anti-personnel or anti-tank landmines and to search for bombs and other threats to soldiers.
The reconnaissance robot will be mainly used in patrolling inside enemy areas, such as bunkers and caves, and to disrupt difficult-to-access improvised explosive devices, said Choi Chang-gon of the ADDââ¬â¢s robot development department.
``Once completed, the robot systems will effectively replace many military missions now conducted by soldiers, such as surveillance, patrolling, detection of landmines and shooting at enemies,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ said the researcher.
Weighing less than 20 kilograms fully loaded, the robot, molded after the U.S. Armyââ¬â¢s iRobot PackBot EOD, can be hand-carried and deployed by a single operator with a remote control. It will be able to explore rugged terrain with sophisticated navigation systems.
The robot will be equipped with extendable arms, a sensor to detect chemical weapons, explosives and smoke bombs. Once completed, the robot systems will be deployed to infantry and anti-terrorist units, according to Army officials.
An unmanned fixed-style electronic border-guard system has recently been developed by Samsung Techwin. The system, which is able to detect moving targets at distances of 4 kilometers and 2 kilometers in day and night, respectively, is to be deployed to guard posts in frontline units near the Demilitarized Zone by the end of this year.
In the second stage between 2013 and 2020, a horse-like versatile robot will debut. The ADD and the Ministry of Information and Communication are investing some $35 million in the development program.
The robot will be capable of conducting reconnaissance, search-and-surveillance missions and removing landmines. It will be armed with various weapons and operated by remote control and its own intelligence scheme. It will have six to eight extendable legs with wheels allowing it to move like an insect over uneven terrain.
The multi-role robot system will also be used in patrolling along the wire-fences near the inter-Korean land and sea borders to prevent North Korean troops from infiltrating into the South.
``We are confident that these robots will play a key role in assisting our ground troops in effectively addressing various security initiatives,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ said Lt. Col. Sohn Byung-hwan of the Armyââ¬â¢s public affairs office.
By 2025, the Army plans to introduce unmanned state-of-the-art vehicles, called Experimental Autonomous Vehicles (XAV), for use in light and heavy combat situations.
Equipped with large-caliber weapons, the vehicles will be directed by a remote control system or move autonomously via its own artificial intelligence system and be capable of operating under any weather conditions, according to Choi.
``South Koreaââ¬â¢s robot technology is about 10 years behind that of the United States now. But the gap is getting closer and closer to make it five years by 2015,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ he added.
Under the ``Future Combat Systemââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ project, the United States have spent about $19 billion in developing combat robots and used such systems in Bosnia and Iraq.
Scientific Training Exercise
The military is enhancing its training methods by using high-tech digital communication networks, as part of preparedness efforts for the information-oriented nature of future warfare.
In September last year, the Army finished building the second largest training camp in the world, the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC), which boasts state-of-the-art training capabilities, including the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES).
The government spent about 280 billion won ($300 million) in develop the advanced training facility for seven years.
The MILES is a training system that provides a realistic battlefield environment for soldiers involved in training exercises. It offers tactical engagement simulations for direct fire force-on-force training using eye-safe laser ``bullets.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢
In the training camp, located in Hongchon, Kangwon Province, two battalion-level forces engage in a simulation battle, using 5,600 kinds of weapons systems, including tanks, anti-armor vehicles, helicopters, 106mm cannon rifles, K2/K3 rifles, K201 grenade launchers, machine guns and other ancillary items.
Each individual, weapon and vehicle in the training exercise has MILES gear that senses hits and performs assessments.
All information on situations on the battlefield, including the number of casualties, soldiersââ¬â¢ locations, kinds of weapons systems being used by enemy forces and lethality of specific weapons, are transmitted to the command-and-control center on a real-time basis through laser transmitters attached to soldiers and weapons systems.
Commanders analyze this information and direct combat strategies to training units through radios or digital signals.
The information integrating accuracy is about 99 percent, higher than training camps in other countries with an average of 95 percent, according to reports. Currently, only 10 countries, such as the United States, Britain and France, have science-based training facilities. In scale, the new training camp is the second largest after the U.S. militaryââ¬â¢s.
South Korea became the fifth nation to build this type of high-tech training camp with its own technology, following the United States, Japan, Germany and France. It already has several simulation training camps of company level.
``The construction of the advanced training system definitely shows the Korean militaryââ¬â¢s steps toward a self-reliant, future-oriented unit,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ Army Maj. Lee Jin-woo said. ``It also reflects the militaryââ¬â¢s firm mandate to use technology to give young soldiers more compelling and realistic battlefield experience to make them quality forces.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢
KCTC vice-head Col. Choi Sung-soo said the simulation exercise system will also help solve many problems that have resulted from the field training of armed forces, such as noise pollution, environmental destruction and forest fires.
By reducing the use of live ammunition, about 270 billion won ($280 million) of the defense budget will be annually saved, he added.
After a pilot program for five battalions last year, the Army plans to implement the simulation training exercise for 52 battalions every year and expand the training to regimental forces, said Choi.
South Korea maintains a 690,000-strong armed force against North Koreaââ¬â¢s 1.2-million-strong military. The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
Under the ``Defense Reform 2020,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ the number of troops will be reduced to 500,000, while introducing high-tech weapons systems in stages.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200610/kt2006103114483711990.htm
Nah not that..
