US Army robot tank?

Saw this during the 250th Anniversary parade…is this a future robot tank?

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Ripsaw

The marking on the side of the vehicle, “RCV06”, probably means, “Robotic Combat Vehicle 06”.

The other guys will know more but I think this particular variant of the Ripsaw is experimental. (The Wiki article states all Ripsaw variants are experimental.)

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Yes, that is the Textron RIPSAW Remote Combat Vehicle-Medium with a Kongsberg 30mm remote turret. It is completely unmanned and can drop a small UGV from the bow ramp.

It was canceled because the SECDEF feared the aerial drones as the Ukraine War demonstrated. The US Army didn’t give a particular reason why it was canceled because RIPSAW is entirely unmanned. The RCV family was proven and tested to work, but the whole program was guillotined for whatever reasons that only the Top Brass knows. I do not agree with the decision to cancel the RCV program at all.

Personally, I don’t think they know what they’re doing, not what they want as the RCV program seems extremely helpful to Soldiers. The US Army seems “Sticker shock” that a $200-$1,000 drone can destroy a RCV costing $3 million a copy. But look how capable the RIPSAW is and you’ll understand why it’s $3 million a copy. I think that SECDEF and the US Army are “awe-struck” by FPV drones that they’re tunnel-visioned into thinking “Cheaper, better, faster, lighter.” NASA went that route and their cheaper space probes sometimes failed so NASA spent more money on space probes to ensure that they get it correct and properly working. Then again, no one is shooting at NASA equipment.

https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/army-to-cancel-planned-robotic-combat-vehicle-award-pause-howitzer-competition-sources/

Notice that the announcer didn’t mention the RCVs, only the robot dogs. The RCVs were supposed to be the future of the US Army, but all of them were canceled, including the 8x8 SMET because that is a RCV-Light.

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Hmmm…robot dogs biting their robot handlers… :thinking: :laughing:
:smiley: :canada:

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Bad boy, Let OUT!

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Owww…right in the nuts…and bolts! :open_mouth: :face_with_crossed_out_eyes:
:smiley: :canada:

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Airborne drones have been making a lot of news, now we have land-drones, do they have unmanned seagoing vessels too?

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Yes they do.

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Yes they do - there are numerous civil and military applications for seagoing drones. Some of them have been used operationally in recent years.

The Ukranians have scored some notable successes with naval drones - and then there are numerous examples of civilian research AUVs like the one called Boaty McBoatface :slight_smile:

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I had the a mental image I wish I had the art skill to render… Trump standing with an increasingly outraged expression on his face while one of the robot dogs lifts his leg toward Trump’s pants, a little pile of M3 bolts spreading at his feet.

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Maybe a little puddle of lube oil! :laughing:
:smiley: :canada:

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