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Two Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots, developed by US defense firm Foundation, were delivered to Ukraine in February for front-line testing.
The company states this is the world's first deployment of a humanoid soldier in an active war zone.
The robots were initially deployed for reconnaissance support along the front lines. The Foundation is preparing the Phantom MK-1 for potential deployment in combat scenarios under evaluation by the Pentagon. The Pentagon continues to explore militarized humanoid prototypes designed to operate with soldiers in complex, high-risk environments.
The foundation holds research contracts totaling $24 million with the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, including a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 3 contract, which classifies it as an approved military vendor. The company is also in discussions with the Department of Homeland Security about potential patrol applications for the Phantom along the US southern border.
The Phantom MK-1 features a jet-black steel exterior and a tinted glass visor. It is capable of operating any weapon used by human soldiers, including revolvers, pistols, shotguns, and rifles.
The robot does not experience fatigue or fear, can function continuously in extreme conditions, and is immune to radiation, chemical, and biological agents.
Foundation co-founder Mike LeBlanc, a 14-year Marine Corps veteran with multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, stated that his observations in Ukraine reinforce his belief in the value of humanoid soldiers.
He noted that the robots are especially useful for resupply and reconnaissance missions in areas inaccessible to drones, such as low bunkers, and that their human-like heat signature can disrupt enemy surveillance systems.
'We think there's a moral imperative to put these robots into war instead of soldiers,' LeBlanc said. He added that the goal is for the robot to use 'any kind of weapon that a human can.'
Phantom robots are currently undergoing testing at facilities from Atlanta to Singapore. The foundation plans to begin tests with the US Marine Corps' 'methods of entry' course, training the robots to place explosives on doors to support safer site breaches.
The Phantom MK-2, expected in April, will feature waterproofing, larger battery packs, consolidated electronics, and the ability to carry loads up to 175 pounds (79 kilograms). The company aims to manufacture 30,000 units annually, with a projected unit cost below $20,000 at high production volumes.
Foundation co-founder and CEO Sankaet Pathak stated that a humanoid-soldier arms race is 'already happening' and noted that authoritarian regimes, including Russia and China, are also developing this dual-use technology.
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