Foster-Miller TALON

The Foster-Miller TALON is a remotely operated, tracked military robot designed for missions ranging from reconnaissance to combat.

Foster-Miller claims the TALON is one of the fastest robots in production, one that can travel through sand, water, and snow, as well as climb stairs.

The TALON transmits in color, black and white, infrared, and/or night vision to its operator who may be up to about 3,937 ft (1,200 m) away.

It can withstand repeated decontamination, allowing it to work for extended periods of time in contaminated areas.

Foster-Miller are currently at work on a "Game Boy" style controller with virtual-reality headsets for future operators.

This deployment marked the first instance of robots carrying guns into battle;[5] however, the United States Army never gave authorization to use them so the weapons were not used in combat.

Foster-Miller is working on a successor: the Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System (MAARS).

Foster-Miller claims the Talon was used for a classified mission by US Special Forces in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan,[8] as well as in an EOD role.

Its combat SWORDS version is now being used there as a guard protecting front line buildings from attack.