The United States Army has authorized the operational evaluation of CODiAQ, an armed “robot dog” designed for special forces missions.
The system, developed by the Australian company Skyborne Technologies, received a limited safety release from the U.S. Department of Defense to move forward with tests involving units from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
The contract, valued at US$ 6.5 million, includes the delivery of 14 armed quadruped robotic platforms and 28 interchangeable weapons modules. According to the company, the systems will be used in tactical evaluations and combat exercises expected to begin later in 2026.
The Controller Operated Direct Action Quadruped (CODiAQ) uses the Vision 60 platform from Ghost Robotics, combined with targeting and remote-control systems developed by Skyborne. The robot was designed to operate in contested environments and can carry out reconnaissance, security, and armed support missions without directly exposing soldiers to risk.
“CODiAQ represents a deliberate and important step in armed robotic ground systems. This milestone allows the Department of War to rapidly assess operational utility with a rigorous emphasis on system safety, operator control, and risk management during OT&E and combat evaluations,” said Michael J. Trexler, the Government Program Manager.
The approval comes amid growing interest from the U.S. armed forces in autonomous and robotic systems, driven by lessons observed in recent conflicts, especially in Ukraine. In recent years, the U.S. has expanded tests with unmanned ground vehicles for logistics, medical evacuation, and combat support roles.
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