By 2027, 50,000 Humanoid Robots Could Serve as the US Military’s Frontline

[Starmix]

According to the report, the US military’s next battalion might not be composed of trained cadets, but humanoid robots standing 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) tall.

The report stated that California-based Foundation Future Industries is positioning its new Phantom robots for military use, with each 180-pound (82-kilogram) unit capable of carrying more than 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of payload or weapons.

The report also said that the robot's upper torso serves as its operational core, housing sensors, computers, cameras, and batteries intended to support operation in human-designed environments.

Chief Executive Officer Sankaet Pathak said the robots can be used for surveillance or field support roles, including transporting weapons and tactical gear to soldiers. They could also substitute personnel in higher-risk tasks, such as navigating confined spaces, entering buildings, or exploring cave systems ahead of soldiers.

The report added that the company plans to build 50,000 Phantoms for the US military by the end of 2027. The Foundation said Phantom would not be granted full autonomy in combat decision-making, but argues that large-scale deployment could still act as a deterrent by reshaping how conflicts are approached.

Additionally, the presence of humanoid robots could reportedly dissuade enemy forces from engaging in combat.

Source: NextGen Defense

 

[gwolf666]

This seems to me a clear reflection of where military technology is headed. The idea that the next "battalion" could be composed of 1.8-meter-tall humanoids is something that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. The interesting thing is that the plan isn't to give them full autonomy in combat, but rather to use them in high-risk support tasks, such as scouting buildings or transporting heavy equipment. This reduces soldiers' exposure to dangerous situations and, at the same time, can serve as a deterrent against enemies. However, it also opens up an ethical and strategic debate: to what extent does the massive presence of robots change the nature of warfare? The goal of producing 50,000 units by 2027 shows that this isn't an isolated experiment, but a serious deployment plan. The future of conflict seems increasingly shaped by robotics.