The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) system, which includes a large, plastic coyote mounted to a UGV base, will serve as a deterrent for problematic wildlife such as birds

The US Army has unveiled its latest weapon in protecting its air bases - a pack of cyborg coyotes.

The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) system will serve as a deterrent for problematic wildlife such as birds, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) said. It includes a large, plastic coyote mounted to a UGV base and it's hoped this will help scare off birds and other problematic wildlife which could cause millions of pounds worth of damage, or threaten aircrew lives by flying into engines.

ERDC said: "It all comes down to scare tactics. Last year, ERDC began collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Ohio to further test the systems efficacy at deterring wildlife through various research trials.

"Successful demonstrations of the system were held at Naval Air Stations Whiting Field and Pensacola in Florida and Fort Campbell in Kentucky, clearing the path for the projects future development."

The system is essentially aimed at helping biologists and managers at military airfields deter creatures from posing a risk to flight crews, aircraft and operations. Since the projects launch, ERDC say they have continued to pursue opportunities to integrate technologies including onboard computing to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning, cameras and other sensors for navigation and surveillance.

They have also worked on a more robust system capable of manoeuvring through harsh terrain and environmental conditions. Shea Hammond, a research biologist focused on Robotic Characterization of Battlefield and Operational Environments for ERDC, believes the cyborg coyotes will be a success.

Speaking to Army Times , Hammond said: "They basically have the same functionality as any other drone. We can program areas we want to exclude it from going, such as the airfield itself. We had worked on docking stations and recharging stations so it can operate on a programmed timer, so it can have utility for multiple days.

It's possible the coyotes will be trained to identify specific species of birds or wildlife in their zones of operation and employ different tactics or approaches for specific species. The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour with follow-on testing expected to take place this summer.

该无东谈主大地车辆（UGV）系统包含一个装配在UGV底座上的大型塑料郊狼模子，将用于驱赶鸟类等扯后腿性野生动物。

好意思国陆军近日公布了其保护空军基地的最新刀兵——一群半机械化的郊狼。

好意思国陆军工程商讨与发展中心（ERDC）暗示，无东谈主大地车辆（UGV）系统将用于威慑鸟类等无益野生动物。该系统包含一个装配在UGV底座上的大型塑料郊狼模子，有望匡助驱赶鸟类过火他无益野生动物——这些动物可能形成数百万英镑的耗损，或通过撞击发动机阻挠机组东谈主员人命安全。

好意思国工程研发中心（ERDC）暗示：“归根结底，这是一种威慑计谋。客岁，ERDC启动与位于俄亥俄州的好意思国农业部国度野生动物商讨中心（NWRC）协作，通过多项商讨历练进一步测试该系统在驱离野生动物方面的灵验性。”

该系统在佛罗里达州的怀廷菲尔德舟师航空站、彭萨科拉舟师航空站以及肯塔基州的坎贝尔堡到手进行了演示，为格式的明天发展扫清了谈路。

该系统的中枢概念是通过协助军事机场的生物学家和科罚东谈主员，退守鸟类等生物对机组东谈主员、飞机及作战任务组成阻挠。据好意思国陆军工程师研发中心（ERDC）称，自格式启动以来，他们握续探索时刻整合有贪图，包括取舍机载诡计建造罢了东谈主工智能与机器学习功能，并配备录像头过火他传感用具于导航与监控。

他们还开采了一套更渊博的系统，大致在恶劣地形和环境条目下灵活活泼。谢伊·哈蒙德（Shea Hammond）是ERDC商讨战场与作战环境机器东谈主特质的生物学家，她合计这些半机械化的郊狼将会赢得到手。

哈蒙德在给与《陆军时报》采访时暗示：“这些无东谈主机的基本功能与其他无东谈主机雷同。咱们不错成立禁飞区域，比如机场自身。咱们还研发了对接站和充电站，使其能按预设智约定时运行，从而罢了多日说合功课。”

这些郊狼可能会给与教师开yun体育网，以识别其作为区域内特定种类的鸟类或野生动物，并针对不同物种采选不同的计谋或步调。该车辆的最高时速可达20英里，后续测试瞻望将于本年夏日进行。