Robotic dogs march in a military parade in Washington, DC

Robotic dogs, drones, and a robotic combat vehicle were the latest showcases of the future of warfare on June 14th, as the US Army celebrated its 250th anniversary.

The parade, held on Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, displayed different eras of the military, showcasing drones and autonomous robotic dogs as the Army’s future. The dogs are formally known as Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles (Q-UGVs).

The machines are commonly tested for patrol, surveillance, and logistics support roles, seamlessly integrating into the parade format.

The Ripsaw M5, a fully autonomous robotic combat vehicle designed for high speed and agility, was another highlight. It was developed by the team Ripsaw, which consists of Textron Systems, Howe & Howe, and FLIR Systems.

The vehicle came with a remotely operated wheeled platform fitted with a turret system and an ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) drone, according to Defense Blog. It can operate silently, has a mine-clearing line (MICLIC), mine plover, and an attached improvised explosive device (IED) defeat roller, equipped with an agile counter mechanism.

Another notable highlight was the Ghost, a Medium-Range Reconnaissance (MRR) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS). It’s a helicopter-type advanced medium-range aerial drone, developed for reconnaissance and gathering intelligence.

While the parade was largely dominated by traditional warfare units, the presence of unmanned platforms showcased the Army’s move towards incorporating robotics into its operations.

The event marked the first time tanks had rolled through the streets of Washington in over 30 years. It featured 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and about 6,600 troops.