MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. (March 19, 2024): The Air Force is evaluating a sentry that doesn’t tire, never sleeps, needs no food, and it can talk. In this photo by Senior Airman Zachary Foster, representatives of Asylon, a robotic perimeter security company, lead a robotic dog in a capabilities demonstration for Air Force security forces. The demonstration showcased this emerging technology in remotely operated security systems that allow for immediate response in emergency situations without endangering the life of servicemembers.

Essentially a camera on legs, the “dogs” are technically called quadruped unmanned ground vehicles. Costing as much as half a million dollars per unit, they function as an extra set of eyes for base security officers that can also listen and communicate with suspected intruders. Funded through a small business innovation research program called the AFWERX initiative, these quadrupeds weigh approximately a hundred pounds and have a top speed of seven miles per hour. They can travel a distance of thirteen miles at a top speed of seven miles per hour for up to three hours on a single charge.

They can also be outfitted with drones that can launch and return to their backs while in motion, allowing the drones and dogs to perform missions as an integrated team. Future plans include equipping them with sensors that allow them to operate autonomously without human intervention. These dog/drone teams will become the ultimate platform for security patrol operations in the future.