A commanding soldier assigned to a combined arms brigade under the PLA 76th Group Army gives instructions during a real-combat drill on September 26, 2020, which aims to beef up soldiers' courage and uprightness in battlefield. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Yongqiang)

  

 

A new reconnaissance robot in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently made its debut in exercises, during which it coordinated with a swarm of aerial drones and newly commissioned assault vehicles.

At the beginning of the year, a brigade under the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted exercises with new equipment, new training subjects and new tactics. These include the deployment of a type of special mission reconnaissance robot, the use of newly commissioned assault vehicles and the practice of coordinated aerial drone swarm operations, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday.

During the exercises, the operation team arrived at the frontline via assault vehicles, the reconnaissance team used the robot to conduct reconnaissance on hostile outposts, the drone team used drones to conduct aerial surveillance, and the advance team seized control of high points and guided attacks on key hostile targets, CCTV reported.

According to the report's video, the robot is a tank-like unmanned ground vehicle that runs on caterpillar tracks, with reconnaissance devices installed as its "turret." 

Smaller than a person, the robot seems very fast and mobile and can be controlled via a portable, tablet-like remote control station, the video shows.

"The robot can replace soldiers in early infiltration missions. It comes with reconnaissance and positioning functions, and can spot and destroy small targets," said Zhang Xuanming, a squad leader of the PLA brigade, in the CCTV report.

Global Times