US tests bigger, meaner variant of Terminator-like robot drone tank [Video]

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DARPA has announced that its Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program has passed another important milestone with testing its bigger, meaner drone variant.

A 12-ton beast of a machine, the larger RACER autonomous ground vehicle also has a pair of green lights reminiscent of glowing eyes.

The green-eyed monster drone is 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, skid-steer tracked, and based on Textron’s highly successful M5 RIPSAW chassis. The US Army already widely uses these for various logistical and tactical roles.

DARPA explains that the 12-ton RACER is being designed to complement and support other members of the RACER Fleet Vehicles (RFVs). However, its compatriots are much smaller, weighing 2 tons and measuring a paltry 11 feet (3.35 meters) long.

“Having …

Tags Automotive, Autonomous, Autonomous Car, Vehicles