US Army to Use Autonomous Ground Vehicles in Iraq

According to this story in the L.A.Times (registration possibly required -- I can't recall), the US Army is planning on deploying autonomous ground vehicles built by Northrop Grumman (warning: launches Java) in the 4th quarter of this year.

Hoping to reduce human casualties in Iraq, the Army is preparing to use unmanned robotic ground vehicles built by Northrop Grumman Corp. for use in surveillance and border-security missions, the company said Monday.

It would be the first use of autonomous ground vehicles in a combat zone, the Century City-based defense contractor said.

The company's Tactical Amphibious Ground Support vehicle weighs 3,400 pounds, can reach a speed of 25 miles per hour and is about the size of a compact car, with a flatbed top and tank-like treads that can be interchanged with tires.

According to the article, the vehicle is built by Northrop Grumman's Remotec division.

Link via Defense Tech. There's also more info, including pictures and thoughts about who's actually building the thing, at Lemonodor.