How these cyborg coyotes protect military bases

By Dean Murray

The U.S. Army has unveiled a new weapon in protecting its bases - a pack of cyborg coyotes.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has developed an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) system that can serve as a deterrent for problematic wildlife such as birds.

The system, which includes a large, plastic coyote mounted to a UGV base, is aimed at helping biologists and managers at military airfields deter creatures from posing a risk to flight crews, aircraft and operations.

A picture of the coyotes shows them with jets airplanes in the background from the Blue Angels, the flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy.

ERDC said: "It all comes down to scare tactics. Last year, ERDC began collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Ohio to further test the system’s efficacy at deterring wildlife through various research trials.

"Successful demonstrations of the system were held at Naval Air Stations Whiting Field and Pensacola in Florida and Fort Campbell in Kentucky, clearing the path for the project’s future development."

Since the project’s launch, ERDC say they have continued to pursue opportunities to integrate technologies including onboard computing to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning, cameras and other sensors for navigation and surveillance. They have also worked on a more robust system capable of manoeuvring through harsh terrain and environmental conditions.