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Pentagon Unleashes Robot ‘Pack Mule’ That Will Unburden Troops and Follows on Command

Sep. 11, 2012 7:20pm Liz Klimas

Just last week, the Pentagon’s research division — DARPA — set a new speed record with its four-legged running robot Cheetah. Now it is testing out another one of its robots on four legs — this one designed not for speed, but for carrying gear.

DARPA’s AlphaDog by Boston Dynamics (also known as prototype LS3 — Legged Squad Support Systems) had been previously tested outdoors, but this trial, according to DARPA’s release, demonstrates not only greater mobility but more stealthy sound control and “follow the leader” capabilities.

DARPAs LS3 Prototype Demonstrates Sensors to Follow Commands and Quieter Design

LS3 climbs uphill. (Image: YouTube screenshot)

The ultimate goal of LS3 is to act as a “pack mule” robot that can “unburden dismounted squad members by carrying their gear, autonomously following them through rugged terrain, and interpreting verbal and visual commands.”

According to its description in its latest demonstration video, LS3 can carry up to 400 pounds, travel 20 miles without refueling and follows humans using a sensor system. Watch the robot demonstrate this ability over a variety of terrain:

“We’ve refined the LS3 platform and have begun field testing against requirements of the Marine Corps,” Army Lt. Col. Joe Hitt, DARPA program manager, said in a statement. “The vision for LS3 is to combine the capabilities of a pack mule with the intelligence of a trained animal.”

Hitt also said the technology is now 10 times quieter, which will allow soldiers to have a conversation while still walking near it.

“Other improvements include the ability to go from a 1- to 3-mph walk and trot over rough, rocky terrain, easily transition to a 5-mph jog and, eventually, a 7-mph run over flat surfaces, showing the versatility needed to accompany dismounted units in various terrains,” Hitt said. “The LS3 has demonstrated it is very stable on its legs, but if it should tip over for some reason, it can automatically right itself, stand up and carry on. LS3 also has the ability to follow a human leader and track members of a squad in forested terrain and high brush.”

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Comments (139)

bald stick
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:24pm
400 lb payload.They could carry the soldier and his stuff. That’s exactly what we need, an all terrain vehicle that carries stuff! Oh wait, we ALREADY HAVE THAT!!!!! Pretty cool though.

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- John 1776
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:39pm
  Can the Star Wars Imperial Walkers be far behind?
  Me thinks the emperor has enough toys to chase us already!
  
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- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:54pm
  These aren’t for carrying the soldiers. Soldiers now can be carrying packs up to 180pounds. You can’t move quickly with all that gear on your back and if you fall, you could be injured due to the extra weight. The AlphaDog is designed to let the soldier carry his rifle and the unit carries the rest and walks behind him. Walking can reach like 65% of the surface of the planet, where wheels can only reach about 15% and tracks about 25%. This unit could carry the soldier back if he is wounded, but that is not the main design. The soldiers can also use them for emergency cover if they are caught in the open. It is a really good idea, but I don’t know if the government is going to spend how many thousands of dollars on these so that each soldier will have one, maybe one per squad? Also, 20-miles isn’t far when you consider some of the patrols that soldiers go on. Maybe give it a 300 pound capacity and a 100-mile range? I know one thing for sure, I sure wouldn’t mind having one for going hunting in the mountains. Just as good as a horse, but it can’t be spooked.
  
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- WAKEUPUSA2012
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:01pm
  This has the potential to be very dangerous.
  
  http://www.infowars.com/will-humanity-survive-the-singularity/
  
  Report this comment
- hidden_lion
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:13pm
  Hmmm, why don’t they just get a mule? Would cost allot less.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:47pm
  HIDDEN-LION, That would just make too much sense, and mules make a lot less noise. And, if everything goes wrong and worse comes to worse, you can always eat the mule to survive.
  
  Report this comment
- grayling646
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:06pm
  I’ve eaten crow before. Never mule though.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:16pm
  Good idea, I need one for hunting.
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:32pm
  A jeep ?
  
  Report this comment
- banjarmon
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:40pm
  OK on dry land. Now how about in mud and swamps??
  
  Report this comment
- Old Truckers
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:36pm
  If I remember correctly, the Viet Cong used bicycles that they pushed along themselves with heavy loads attached. They travel light and with no noise.
  
  And how much did this mechanical “mule” cost? hmmm, I wonder?
  
  Report this comment
- MEANS2RESIST
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 1:33am
  Yea but did you hear the noise? So much for the element of surprise moving through wooded terrain.
  
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- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 1:51am
  This is the breakthrough of robotic troops. With future development of these things, they’ll be armed with light mg’s and rockets. Robotic killing machines with no conscious.
  
  Report this comment
- Mr.-FreeMarket
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 3:24am
  Correction:
  These will carry a lot of her stuff. Female soldiers can’t pack around as much weight as males. These will make it easier to put more women into combat.
  
  Report this comment
- MRMADMAN
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 7:35am
  I didn’t see any solar panels or windmills on it. This thing will never be approved by this
  administration.
  
  Report this comment
- bald stick
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 7:44am
  I miss the good old days when we would fight a war to win. We used to go in and blow up a lot of stuff and kill a lot of people. Seemed to have worked in WW2 and before. This hunting around for just the bad guys seems to be a losing proposition for our country and our troops. We haven’t won a war since WW2. Seems we haven’t had any problems with Germany or Japan, quite the opposite. Seems we have to have an armed military presence in every country after WW2 because they are still not stable or trust worthy. If we had gone in and decisively won those wars, we could have helped them to build something better. Even Bush allowed the Iraqi’s to form their own gov’t. and we see how well that is turning out. Seems like we are letting the libs control how wars are fought. Break them down completely and build them up. Works every time.
  
  Report this comment
- poorrichard09
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 8:24am
  Soon to be equipped with a light machine gun and rocket launcher to prowl the streets of your city!
  
  Report this comment
- rabblechat
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 8:24am
  So this thing is supposed to have a 20 mile range; so real world you are probably looking at what 15 miles? Even if it could go 20 miles, what happens when the batteries run out? Do we just ditch these multi-million dollar mechanical mules? As a Marine Infantry vet I can assure you, it is not uncommon for our Marines and soldiers to do 30 miles in a single movement.
  
  What about the mission? Are our Marines and soldiers supposed to abort the mission because the Robo mule ran out of juice? Commanders will look at these mules as a way to carry extra gear, not as a way to take the current load off of mens backs. So when this machine dies, the guys in the field will be left to carry the 100+ lbs of gear on their person plus their share of the 400+ lb payload on this thing.
  
  Report this comment
- GirlWithCurls
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 9:24am
  I realize that we have to start somewhere, speaking of the progression of technology, but if the military invests in these (unimproved and as they are) I’m going to throw a little tantrum. My horse can haul more, move faster, can travel over a wider variety of terrain, has more mobility (sliding stops, 180 degree turns, 360 spins, makes a six foot jump look like child’s play), is intelligent, and lives off of grass… Beat that, R2D2.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 11:02am
  This has the capability of a pack mule only it costs thousands more. To deploy this, I bet a trained technician has to go along to repair it. Soldiers have the amazing ability break things. I wonder if this will pass the soldier test and become soldier proof.
  
  Now I know I am stupid but didn’t pack mules do a good job in the Pacific and China/Burma/India Theaters of War during WWII.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 11:32am
  I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for one of those bad boys today
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:25pm
  Finally, a use for “used” DemocRatts. 2nd—a problem seen… what happens if it is “hacked” and given a “once-a-month” problem?? AAaaah…Ha!! :-)
  
  Report this comment
- The Jewish Avenger
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:40pm
  Wonder whats the biggest gun with 100 rounds of ammo that I could carry on that thing? Sounds like a potential RC AT Tank. Or Drone Tank.Mini
  
  Report this comment
- FreedomPurveyor
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 1:19pm
  “The vision for LS3 is to combine the capabilities of a pack mule with the intelligence of a trained animal.”
  
  Combine the capabilities of a pack mule…. with the intelligence of a trained animal…..
  
  What he is describing is a trained pack mule. What they need is to develop weapons systems for this bad boy.
  
  Report this comment
- ThisIsHowTheWorldEnds
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 10:52pm
  Lord Vader, the shield will be down in moments. You may start your landing.
  
  Report this comment
The-Obama-Romney-Ticket
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:22pm
“Woof, woof, woof. Hello. I’m ‘Rags’. Woof, woof, woof.” -”Rags” the mechanical watchdog introduces himself to Wood Allen in “Sleeper”

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doodleskeeper
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:19pm
Hut, hut, hut, hut! But does it chew it’s cud?

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grayling646
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:19pm
Just see what happens when PETA finds out about this.

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- 502_eagle
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:30pm
  They will want rules and regs regarding the human treatment of it.
  
  Report this comment
- sparkyrules
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:33pm
  I thought the exact same thing.Maybe the Pentagon should put some fur on it for good measure.:)
  
  Report this comment
- Weiners Wiener
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:05pm
  Just wait until some loony lib wants to marry one of these machines.
  
  Report this comment
justafollower
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:18pm
I’m sure that noise box won’t draw any unwanted attention as it clumsily trots through the woods next to a platoon of soldiers. lmao. yea… what could go wrong?!

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- grayling646
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 10:12pm
  The designers will eventually solve that problem and any other problems they’re having. This is gonna be a great addition to our arsenal.
  
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- G-WHIZ
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:32pm
  Weere drawin enemy fire…now WHERE do I plug this thing in to recharge?? Oh, wait!! it’s battery is GM and it’s heating up fast!…….B O O M ! !
  
  Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:13pm
Sure.. seems like a good idea now but wait til the Emperor issues Order# 66 and the robot pack mules turn against the Jedi.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:27pm
  just need a crisis
  
  if you didnt go to Iraq – Iraq will be coming to you
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:45pm
  Well thank God we will never ever ever ever have a crisis. right? Auto pilots got it under control. Feel free to move about the cabin… and if you look out your window to the left you will see the vast wasteland that was once a thriving Republic.
  
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Mr.Fitnah
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:12pm
After all this time?
They should be on GEN III

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Hill60
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:07pm
… or takes a bullet to its hydraulic system.

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- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:15pm
  Hill, a bullet taken by the machine is a bullet not taken by a human.
  
  Report this comment
- hidden_lion
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:16pm
  Usually there is more than one bullet coming after the first. Hope they don’t have GM build it. it might combust like the volt.
  
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- Hill60
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 3:44pm
  So a bullet that hits a hydraulic/fluid line won’t cause catastrophic failures? Really?
  
  Look at the intricate hydraulic cylinders and pumps that make up each leg… Of course a bullet could punch a hole in one of those. Unless they add additional armor (weight) to cover the upper portions of each of those appendages – the thing is vulnerable to small arms fire. Current issue M855 can punch thru 1/8″ steel at 600 meters. I’m not saying armor plate – I’m saying 1/8″ steel. (Heck, even the M193 I was issued way back when, could punch thru steel at much shorter ranges.) Those hydraulic lines and cylinders are a lot thinner than that. Once you lose hydraulic pressure, you’re as good as dead.
  
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Hill60
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:05pm
Pretty cool – until it meets an IED.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:10pm
  @Hill60
  “Pretty cool – until it meets an IED.”
  
  Infidel Equipped Dingo?
  
  Love at first site…..
  
  “Damn that electronic mule, get back over here and stop sniffing that Dingo!”
  
  Report this comment
- Cry_Havoc
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:16pm
  @THE-MONK
  
  Electronic mule replies: “maybe the dingo ate your baby.”
  
  Report this comment
LakeHartwellSailor
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:05pm
Man, just think how much food, ice, beer & wine you can pack on that thing and have it follow you down to the dock and help you load the boat! Which leads to the next generation….amphibious! That way, it can climb onto the boat, and when you get to that island where you want to have a barbeque, just let it unload the boat and storm the beach!

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- chips1
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:06pm
  If you wanted to take 400 pounds of food and beer with you, why not just take Shiela Jackson Lee. You just might get lucky>
  
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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:02pm
They’re spooky looking and freaky. I’m getting sick of technology…and it’s seems it’s all turning on us in the name of what? We are no safer. In the name of safety and ease we are losing all human rights and dignity…I don’t like it. Bring the troops home please. No more nation building.

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randy
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:00pm
Why not just use mules?
Can you imagine how m any mules you could buy for just the cost of one of those things?

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:03pm
  Mules need food and water, Robots just need human brains to run.
  
  I heard Bill Clinton wants one, but in a blue dress.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:05pm
  @randy
  
  New EPA rules require the clean up of “Mule droppings” so a poopless Mule had to be designed.
  
  “Batteries not included”….. of course.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:15pm
  Not surprising. The EPA RRP mandate is systematically putting Remodeling Contractors out of business.
  
  Report this comment
- grayling646
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:18pm
  Randy, Mules (animals in general) don’t have the stamina that humans do for long marches. Especially when loaded down with pack.
  
  Report this comment
- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:22pm
  Hey Monk
  I think on these robot mules, the batteries go where the droppings come out. The soldiers say its disturbing changing the batteries.
  
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- randy
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:25pm
  During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the United States used large numbers of mules to carry weapons and supplies over Afghanistan’s rugged terrain to the mujahideen.[18] Use of mules by U.S. forces has continued during the War in Afghanistan (2001-present), and the United States Marine Corps now conducts an 11-day Animal Packers Course at its Mountain Warfare Training Center located in the Sierra Nevada near Bridgeport, California.
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:30pm
  Hi Darmok,
  
  OK, that reminds me of this…….
  
  http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=jim+carry+rino&mid=A2969E520FFE5C97714DA2969E520FFE5C97714D&view=detail&FORM=VIRE5
  
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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 11:19pm
  Hey Monk
  
  I am still laughing, love Ace Ventura.
  
  Report this comment
- Mustanger
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:52am
  Let’s see …there are currently over 40,000 mustangs in holding pens eating up a dollar a day each of tax money. Have convicts train them and send them over. What can a horse do in war? YouTube SGT RECKLESS, and find out.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:59pm
‘Bout time! Combat loads have been going up and up to the point where back and knee injuries are epidemic. Couple of these things packing the ammo, rations, water, batteries with a squad would do the troops a world of good!

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- RobbieTLHughie
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:52pm
  See that’s what I thought when they released the first one about five years ago, how awesome would it be to have these bad-boys carry the load for a squad of our guys?
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:41pm
  SO…you are under severe enemy fire….the airfarce drops on you a load of these things…they fall, they land, you open them. In the gubiment’s infinite wisdom…the labels say: “batteries to be in next drop.” !! :-)
  
  Report this comment
justangry
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:58pm
I wonder how many real pack mules they could have bought with the money spent on the research. I’d also like to see it work in the mud or other adverse weather conditions.

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:28pm
  but mules dont keep defense contractors employed
  
  Report this comment
- Dodecahedron
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:57pm
  Boston Dynamics has (or had) a view videos showing the previous version doing mud and ice – it did better than I expected it to.
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:56pm
Hope it’s not made by Chevy like the Volt or made by Fisker…..

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimhenry/2011/12/12/chevy-volt-battery-fires-threaten-all-electric-ve/

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fisker-recalls-electric-cars/story?id=17044981

But, on the bright side…. you won’t need to start your own campfire at the end of the day.

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The-Monk
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:50pm
What ever happened to Sharks with freaking lasers on their heads?????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pozlp_wnkRk

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buttpatriot
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:49pm
lazy federal government employees. bet these are not cheap.

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- RobbieTLHughie
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:06pm
  Ah, clever joke there Seinfeld but really… Do you support our military being the best in the world or not? Because that kind of snarky comment says that you hate our military and don’t want to see us advance in the world when everyone else is developing robotic military technology.
  
  Report this comment
- buttpatriot
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 1:28pm
  dumb joke
  
  Report this comment
RobbieTLHughie
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:48pm
Good to see The Blaze is keeping current with robotic technology from the early 2000′s but it was awesome then and still awesome now; if we can initiate more robot friends into helping our military and people around the world I think that will be not only neat but good for everyone involved.

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Mapache
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:38pm
How about 1000s of motorized daschunds with anti-personnel devices attached. How about just a motorized golf handcart with big wheels, cheaper and ….well cheaper.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:37pm
skynet is here where’s Arnold?

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sparkyrules
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:37pm
The Terminator,Star Wars and Blade Runner movies are getting more closer to reality than I’m comfortable with.Robots,drones,and so on.The military always ends up with the primo stuff,and I hope it eventually ends up useful for everyday consumer applications.Not so much for War use!
I wonder what my old tech mossberg shotgun would do to one of these things?

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- grayling646
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:25pm
  …after you find that out you’d have to wonder what that squad of Marines were gonna do to you.
  
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- sparkyrules
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:31pm
  I wouldn’t even want to contemplate it.They would be ticked off,I’m sure.
  
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- Stelex
  Posted on September 12, 2012 at 8:57am
  Don’t worry the way things are going you’ll have your chance soon enough. A couple slugs and a dragons breath should do the job with that Mossberg.
  
  Report this comment
Tobytheone
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:34pm
Cool. How much$

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piplovestheUSA
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:33pm
I love it. This will be a real help to our troops. However it is scary to think about the fact it could be used to help the government against us- the US citizen.

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spfoam1
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:32pm
Build a couple thousand of them, add big bombs, and send them to Tehran to show the Islamic leadership there that we can create homicide bombers too.

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- WindyDualism
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:32pm
  Bingo. But it has four legs, and that is a favorite of some/most males there.
  
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Smaug090
Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:27pm
That’s pretty awesome, does seem pretty loud though. Not exactly ideal for staying undetected.

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- booger71
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:51pm
  Plus if it is carrying your spare ammo, and you have to go fast how could it keep up at 1-3 mph. Seems like the enemy would just end up with your ammo.
  
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- WindyDualism
  Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:08pm
  It’s for pre or post engagement. Alleviates the Jessica lynch scenarios. 400 lbs is a good bit of bullets, beans and bandages. Soon there will be a stretcher on either side w Kevlar blankets.
  
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