Robot Dogs Highlight US Army Push for Autonomy and Tech Superiority at 250th Birthday Parade.

According to information released by the U.S. Army on June 14, 2025, a large-scale military parade took place in Washington, D.C., marking both a historic commemoration and a display of future technological capabilities. While Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and Apache helicopters dominated visually, it was the unmanned systems, particularly quadruped robots (Q-UGVs), that stood out, symbolizing the Army’s transition toward a distributed, interconnected and AI-supported combat architecture.
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The four-legged robot, capable of walking at around 3 km/h and running at 11 km/h, is designed to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, explosive detection, and patrol missions in high-risk environments (Picture source: US DoD)

Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicles (Q-UGVs), often referred to as robotic dogs, were among the main attractions of the event. One model, with a silhouette reminiscent of science fiction, demonstrated its autonomous mobility on the streets of the capital. The four-legged robot, capable of walking at around 3 km/h and running at 11 km/h, is designed to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, explosive detection and patrol missions in high-risk environments. Equipped with LIDAR sensors, day and night cameras and a secure communications module, it transmits real-time tactical data to a command post while navigating semi-autonomously using onboard intelligence.

Developed by companies such as Ghost Robotics, with the Vision 60 model among the most advanced, these robots are more than symbolic demonstrations. Incorporated into programs such as the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET), they are being tested for various missions, ranging from logistical support to tactical assistance. The U.S. Army is also assessing its potential for limited weaponized roles, under strict rules of engagement and operational doctrine, including non-lethal payloads such as chemical detectors, loudspeakers and communication relays.

The strategic objective of these platforms is to reduce soldier exposure to modern asymmetric threats, including mines, improvised explosive devices, and urban combat scenarios. Q-UGVs can be deployed at the front line to conduct reconnaissance, cross dangerous zones or secure areas before an incursion, thereby protecting personnel while maintaining access to tactical intelligence.

In addition to the Q-UGVs, the parade also featured the Ripsaw M5 unmanned combat vehicle, equipped with a 30mm cannon and onboard ISR drone, as well as the modular Ghost drone, a helicopter-type platform designed for strike coordination, communication relay and complex reconnaissance missions. These systems work in conjunction with robotic dogs, highlighting the shift toward a multi-domain combat approach built on human-machine teaming.

Through this public demonstration, the U.S. Army emphasizes that future ground combat is not about replacing soldiers but augmenting them. The integration of autonomous systems aims to improve decision-making, extend operational reach, and mitigate human risk. Robotic dogs, far from being novelty items, illustrate a significant evolution in military doctrine where artificial intelligence and robotics are expected to play a central role in tactical dominance on future battlefields.