As already mentioned, FireAnt is designed to be readily reconfigurable for different missions using modular payloads. The anti-armor configuration, which arms the UGV with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) warhead, has received the most attention to date. In this role, FireAnt has to get close to its target to be effective. Swarming capability would be very beneficial here for overwhelming defenders, as well as just launching attacks on large groups of tanks and other armored vehicles across a broader area.

https://www.twz.com/land/bradley-fighting-vehicle-lugging-load-of-swarming-ground-drones-is-a-sign-of-whats-to-come

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[–] 4 points 3 days ago

Wheels should be bigger so they can still move when getting flipped over. If these things move fast (or fastish, like 15~25 mph) hitting a bump or a dip will cause them to flip.

Opposing force attack drones have a new priority on where to attack an IFV now. Don't worry about the turret or engine compartment, hit the side covered in AT mines.

It is unlikely these are going to be all that useful "swarming" but very useful as an ambusher. Drop them at a potential ambush site and let them wait. But then you need to have the operator vehicle nearby, which is going to make it very obvious to any forces that have eyes in the sky that something dodgy is going on. Unless these are controlled remotely from far away, which not only has issues with signal jamming but commands being delayed thorough whatever long distance communication system is being used... which is going to be really important with a ground based weapon trying to maneuver on rough terrain toward a target that is likely to be moving to target a vehivle's tread/road wheel/road arm/main sprocket to at least get a mobility kill.

If an IFV is close enough to be actively engaging armor it won't have time to drop these. They'll have to be dropped and manually driven in alongside the IFV's well behind the expected battlefront. If the IFV gets ambushed, it won't have time to drop these.

If these ground drones only have optical cameras, smoke or kicking up a dust cloud would make them pretty ineffective. Thermals might be somewhat useful but its going to be interesting to see how many Friendly-Fire incidents happen in sustained combat with lots of vehicles all over the place.

More shit that needs to be constantly PMCS'd in the field.

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