Israel developing battlefield robot snake

updated 1:59 p.m. ET June 11, 2009

JERUSALEM - A robot snake with a camera and microphone in its head is the Israeli military's latest battlefield weapon, according to an Israeli TV report broadcast Monday.

Channel 2 showed video of the snake twisting into caves, tunnels, cracks and buildings, broadcasting pictures and sound back to a soldier controlling it with a laptop computer.

The "snake" appeared to be about 6 feet long. Covered by fabric in military camouflage colors, it slithered along the ground and climbed rocks, its segments connected with joints that flexed in several different directions. Channel 2 said military researchers studied real snakes to copy their movements.

The report said no price has been determined for the snake, which is in the experimental stage, but the Israeli military plans to deploy the robot with combat units. No target date was given.

The report suggested another role for the robot — carrying a bomb to blow up militants or a building. In that case, Channel 2 said, it would be a "suicide snake."

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