A new shape-shifting robot on display at the ongoing Singapore Air Show could be the future of land warfare. Modular and able to take on a variety of missions, the THeMIS robot—or something that looks a lot like it—is likely to become an essential part of the future battlefield.

The Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a small, unmanned ground vehicle measuring just six by eight feet long. It was developed by Estonian defense contractor Milrem, in cooperation with the Estonian National Defence college.

THeMIS can be operated remotely or work autonomously, and can reach speeds of up to 21 miles an hour. It can go up to eight hours on an internal battery and fuel supply and carry up to 1,500 pounds. The power pack consisting of a diesel engine and electrical generator slides out the slide for easy maintenance.

But what's really clever about this driving drone is a flat bed between the tracks that can support a litany of uses. The armed version of this thing, called ADDER and developed with the help of Singapore defense contractor ST Kinetics, can mount a remote weapons system consisting of a 7.62-millimeter machine gun or several anti-tank rockets. Milrem says the vehicle also can play a combat support and logistics roles, carrying ammunition and supplies to troops on the front lines, fighting fires, clearing mines, evacuating wounded, detecting nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and even serving as a mobile communications node.

Via engadget

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