THE RISE OF UGVs REVOLUTIONISING TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC MILITARY OPERATIONS

MANOJ K CHANNAN explains the history of UGVs, their role in modern warfare, their integration with advanced technologies, and their broader implications for military operations, intelligence assessments, and human-machine collaboration

- MANOJ K CHANNAN

The nature of warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last century, with rapid technological advancements reshaping the roles of soldiers, machines, and decision-making processes on the battlefield. Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are emerging as indispensable tools for modern militaries in this new era. Integrated with cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), and Quantum Computing, UGVs have the potential to revolutionise how military operations are conducted, enabling faster, safer, and more efficient outcomes.

UGVs, equipped with machinedriven precision and real-time data processing, reduce human risk while improving battlefield awareness and operational efficiency. Future battles will increasingly rely on these autonomous systems to compress decision-making timelines, outwit adversaries, and ensure dominance in strategic and tactical engagements. However, alongside these opportunities lie significant challenges, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities, ethical dilemmas, and concerns over the over-reliance on automation.

Historical Background

The roots of Unmanned Ground Vehicles can be traced back to World War II when the German military developed the Goliath tracked mine—a small, remote-controlled vehicle designed for demolition tasks. Despite its innovative concept, technological limitations such as poor communication systems and limited power supply restricted its effectiveness. This historical context connects us to the past and helps us appreciate our significant strides in UGV technology.

During the Cold War, unmanned systems gained renewed interest, but the focus remained primarily on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Ground vehicles were still seen as impractical due to the complexities of terrain navigation and lack of autonomous control.