Gun-toting robotic dubbed ‘the true Terminator’ repels Russian military by itself for six weeks
A machine gun-toting bot has kept Vladimir Putin’s troops at bay for six weeks without taking a single bullet as the Ukrainians revel in their secret weapon
(Image: Getty Images)
A real life Terminator repelled the Russian army in Ukraine for six weeks on its own, military chiefs have revealed.
The machine gun-toting robot stopped Vladimir Putin ’s invaders advancing under the cover of fog, rain and snow. The military bosses thought the fierce resistance was being put up by dozens of Ukrainian troops in multiple positions.
But it was the Third Army Corps’ secret weapon – the DevDroid TW 12.7. The unmanned ground vehicle, the size of a sit-on lawnmower, is armed with a .50-calibre M2 Browning machine gun and operated remotely by a soldier up 15 miles away.
It can tackle rugged terrain at 4.3mph using an AI automatic guidance system or by manual remote communication.
The AI gunner came under daily fire but did not take a single bullet. The unit’s leader said the feat marks a new chapter in modern warfare with repeated attacks held back without a soldier being put in harm’s way.
NC-13 Strike Company commander Mykola Zinkevych said: “The war currently under way in our country is the first and only modern technological war in history.
“Machines like these are what will change the course of combat operations.”
His unit specialises in uncrewed ground vehicles – or UGVs. Commander Zinkevych said his company deployed the DevDroid TW 12.7 in multiple positions during its 45-day stint at an undisclosed location. It would briefly leave its post every 48 hours for maintenance and ammunition restocking by a crew sheltering two miles from the frontline.
Videos of the drone in action show it moving across rugged terrain firing multiple shots towards Russian positions.
The AI gunner – similar to the cyborg assassin in smash hit 1984 sci-fi action movie The Terminator – performed the work of up to six soldiers and an armoured car.
“The UGV was never hit,” Commander Zinkevych said.
“Wherever it is possible to replace a live soldier with a UGV it should be done.”
Other versions have recently been approved for use on the frontline including two equipped with grenade launchers.
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