British commander finds ground robots useful but limited after extensive field trials

At a recent joint exercise in California, the British Army’s 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, led by Lt. Col. John Black, examined dozens of uncrewed ground vehicles alongside the incoming 1st Battalion Irish Guards. The unit tested each system in simulated combat, seeking practical uses rather than simple mobility checks. Findings showed that many medium- to large-size robots required additional transport assets and created extra burdens for soldiers moving equipment.

Power supply, battery swaps, and maintaining a stable remote link further complicated field deployment, especially on uneven ground. Vendors have begun abandoning autonomous capabilities because they increase cost and operational difficulty. Despite these drawbacks, Black sees value in deploying robots for high-risk tasks such as breaching obstacles and clearing mines, where keeping personnel out of the kill zone is paramount.