Anduril, a US defense company, has introduced a new series of AI Kamikaze military drones powered by artificial intelligence. One of these drones comes with precise firepower capabilities.
The drones were created for the US Marine Corps as part of their modernization efforts. The system is designed to be easily carried by soldiers and can take off and land vertically. There are two versions of this drone: the Bolt and the Bolt-M, according to a statement from Anduril.
The Bolt is the basic version of the drone, mainly used for surveillance and search-and-rescue missions. On the other hand, the Bolt-M is designed for combat, carrying explosives for active military use. It works like a “kamikaze” drone, equipped with cameras to find a target and then crash into it, releasing the explosives.
Bolt-M can carry maximum payload of 3 pounds
The Bolt-M can carry different types of explosives from both Anduril and other companies, with a maximum payload of 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms).
Its design is flexible, allowing soldiers to easily switch between different types of warheads, like those for targeting people or equipment, depending on the needs of the battlefield, according to the statement.
In a promotional video, company representatives explained that the drone can be put together and launched in under five minutes. It can take off from almost any location since it doesn’t require any special launch equipment and can lift off vertically.
The Bolt-M can remain in the air for over 40 minutes and cover a distance of 12.5 miles (20 kilometers). The standard Bolt, which doesn’t carry heavy explosives, can fly for over 45 minutes.
The Bolt-M is powered by a specialized version of Anduril’s Lattice software, which uses AI to simplify drone operation. This software makes it easier for users to control the drone, reducing the need for extensive training.
It allows operators to quickly find, track, and even strike targets with little effort. This is different from the drones being used in the Ukraine conflict, which demand much more training and focus from their operators.
Agnostic object tracking and GPS features
The Bolt-M drone includes a feature called agnostic object tracking. This allows soldiers to highlight an object manually by drawing a box around it, signaling the drone to lock onto and track the target.
This gives operators more control, allowing them to override the drone’s onboard AI, which normally identifies common battlefield objects on its own. Moreover, this kind of tracking is similar to the technology found in some consumer drones, such as DJI’s ActiveTrack mode.
Another important capability is autonomous waypoint navigation. Using GPS, operators can pre-set the drone’s flight path, allowing it to move along the route without constant monitoring. Moreover, this frees up soldiers to focus on navigating difficult or dangerous terrain without worrying about steering the drone at all times.
