Meet The Flamethrowing Robodog Named Thermonator
The robodog flamethrower system is being touted for peaceful purposes, but one like it could have far deadlier potential applications.
www.twz.com
View: https://twitter.com/throwflame/status/1781390190637941007
Armed with the Throwflame's ARC Flamethrower, Thermonator is able to remotely shoot a 30-foot-long stream of fire and is available to purchase for $9,420, the company says on its website.
Thermonator is able to "deliver on-demand fire anywhere!" boasts Throwflame, which says it is the oldest flamethrower maker in the United States.
The system is operated by a First Person View controller, a popular drone control concept that has gained notoriety in Ukraine guiding deadly drones from both sides onto targets.
According to Throwflame's literature, Thermonator can be used for a variety of purposes, including wildfire control and prevention, agriculture management, conservation, snow and ice removal, as well as for entertainment and special effects purposes.
Using robodogs as weapons delivery systems is not a new concept.
As we reported last year, the U.S. Marine Corps already explored using robodogs as weapons, mounting a training version of the M72 infantry anti-armor rocket launcher on one of the four-legged automatons. Such weapon systems are gaining increasing interest not just from U.S. armed forces — the Chinese and Russian militaries are also exploring arming four-legged uncrewed ground systems. The Marine design bears a striking resemblance to a Chinese-made commercial-of-the-shelf quadrupedal robot that has emerged in anti-armor rocket launcher and submachine gun-armed configurations in Russia in the past.
We asked Throwflame if they have had any contact with the U.S. or any other military about Thermonator and will update this story should they respond. However, their website does acknowledge that there is a likely military use for this system.