Robotic tech is relatively new in war, but most folks are familiar with the UAV - the unmanned aerial drone. This high tech, semi-autonomous, flying weapons platform is armed with hellfire missiles and is responsible for many high value rat kills in Afghanistan & Iraq. But it is ultimately controlled by soldiers at a central command.
How about a 'robo-soldier'? An autonomous killing machine to augment flesh & blood soldiers on the battle field. Are these the droids we're looking for? 
In December 2007, the US Department of Defense (DoD) published an "Unmanned systems roadmap" proposing to spend about $4 billion by 2010 on robotic weapons, a figure that will later rising to about $24 bn. Currently, a human is always involved in decisions of this nature. But the Pentagon is nearly 2 years into a research program aimed at having robots identify potential threats without human help.Some scientists have raised a red flag at the prospect of 'autonomous killing machines', and with good reason.
Noel Sharkey of Sheffield University, UK, says he became "really scared" after researching plans outlined by the US and other nations to roboticise their military forces. Sharkey is most concerned about the prospect of having robots decide for themselves when to "pull the trigger".An ethical machine is a contradiction in terms. And machines can always be re-programmed - from robo-soldier to suicide bomber.
The US and other governments have also set a very short timeframe to achieve such sophistication, says Sharkey. "It is based I think on a mythical view of AI (artificial intelligence)."
TY Gizmodo
