New Human-Machine Integrated Formations Initiative to explore soldier-robot ops

The Army is beginning a new Human-Machine Integrated Formations Initiative, an effort to deeply explore how robots will fight alongside soldiers, the top service civilian announced today at the Association of the U.S. Army convention.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth briefly previewed the new effort, noting the service is taking steps to begin deploying robots for the first time beyond explosive ordnance units with the Small Multi-Purpose Equipment Transport capability and future plans for a Robotic Combat Vehicle to carry weapons, sensors and even other unmanned systems.

“To figure out how robots and sensors will work on the battlefield, we are beginning a new Human-Machine Integrated Formations Initiative,” Wormuth said. “These integrated formations will bring robotic systems into units alongside humans with the goal of always having robots -- not soldiers -- make first contact with the enemy.”

The Army secretary said the plan is to establish a clear division of labor between robots and soldiers.

“This will shift some of the work onto robots so that soldiers can do what only humans can: make value-based decisions, accept risk and practice the art of command,” she said.