Michael Fumento has an interesting article in Tech Central Station on an armed drone being used by the Army in Iraq. Dubbed "Sword", this robot has the ability to mount cannon, grenade launchers and an array of sensors that will enable soldiers to attack an enemy from remote locations, with little risk to the soldier operating it. Mr. Fumento recognizes that robots can deny the terrorists a target of opportunity and explains that they are ideally suited for ambushes.

The terrorists aren't just trying to bleed us dry in blood but also in money; the Sword will slash away at both efforts.

The metal warriors are ideal for ambushes. The need to sleep, eat, and excrete all limit the ability of even the best-trained soldiers to lie in wait. (As one of those soldiers, I learned that few things are more exhausting than lying absolutely still for hours on end.) But the Sword can sit patiently in "sleep mode" in any weather for as long as seven days on a single lithium ion battery pack. Upon detecting the enemy, it would alert its operator and could directly contact those who can call in airstrikes or artillery.

Although not mentioned in this article, these drones could also be deployed in packs, and placed on troubled highways in Iraq where IEDs are routinely deployed, and on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border along known crossing routes of Taliban and al Qaeda fighters. Deploying Swords as a team would negate the need to rely on UAVs, artillery and airstrikes and shorten the time between detection and attack, allowing for real time remote attacks. Terrorists can be killed while laying down IEDs or crossing borders.

Military innovations, such as metallurgy, siege technology, the longbow, gunpowder, barrel rifling, bullet cartridges, tanks, aircraft, satellites and communications have played significant roles in winning wars throughout history. Remotely operated UAVs, underwater units and ground combat drones are the logical successors to the long history of military technology. If used properly, they can negate many of the advantages and goals of our terrorist enemies, particularly the desire to inflict casualties on American forces. But drones cannot substitute for the most prized possessions of a nation and its fighting force: the will to fight, the desire to win and the fortitude to continue when times are tough.

Robots are excellent tools for fighting and have and will continue to greatly contribute to victory in the War on Terror. This is a great advantage we possess over our terrorist enemy. Terrorists have little or no infrastructure, manufacturing or development capabilities of their own; they can only pirate technology from the West. But robots cannot serve as a replacements for soldiers. Americans must be willing to engage the enemy at close quarters when the time calls for it, and be willing to pay the price when it must.