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>I would expect to see some actual mules still in service. SF have been using horses in places like Afghanistan for the past 2 decades and while DARPA is worki
by ryanmercer 8y ago
>I would expect to see some actual mules still in service.
SF have been using horses in places like Afghanistan for the past 2 decades and while DARPA is working on a robotic mule the DoD has brought in consultants to advise them about actual mules.
You'd be surprised what the military still does with animals, the Army even still has the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps with 700 something veterinarians for dogs, ceremony horses, working animals etc.
- arethuza 8y agoThe British Army apparently has more horses than tanks - though I suspect they aren't being kept for any practical purposes.
- desdiv 8y agoFascinating stuff! A 2015 article from the horse's mouth[0] shows 485 horses for ceremonial purposes vs 227 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks. [0] https://www.forces.net/services/tri-service/leading-charge-twice-many-horses-tanks-british-army https://www.forces.net/services/tri-service/leading-charge-t... Also a related BBC article with more background: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22951548 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22951...
- arethuza 8y agoFrom one of those links: "The figures don't necessarily mean we have got too many horses, it's more likely the figures mean we don't have enough tanks." Edit: Mind you, on reflection, 485 horses does seem rather a lot.