Robots in real war: Ukraine battlefield tests Phantom MK-1 humanoids
Successful robot tests in Ukraine attract interest from the U.S. Army (photo: Foundation Robotics)
The American robotics company Foundation, with the support of the governments of the United States and Ukraine, has conducted the first tests of two humanoid robots called Phantom MK-1. The trials demonstrated both the enormous potential of the androids and serious technical limitations that currently prevent them from, according to Militarnyi.
Technical specifications
The Phantom MK-1 model, introduced in autumn 2025, became one of the world’s first humanoid platforms designed with the specifics of combat operations in mind.
The robot is approximately 175 centimeters tall, and its weight ranges between 79 and 82 kilograms. At the Ukrainian front line, the humanoids were mainly used to deliver ammunition and supplies to positions under fire.
Foundation’s top management evaluated the initial results as successful — the humanoids proved capable of relieving soldiers from some of the most dangerous transport tasks.
Why isn’t the robot a “super soldier” yet?
Despite bold claims about the humanoid’s capabilities, the first version of the system has some critical shortcomings that make large-scale combat deployment impossible:
Low payload capacity: the robot can carry only up to 20 kilograms, which is insufficient for meaningful battlefield logistics support.
Vulnerability to weather conditions: the MK-1 model does not have full protection against moisture and water, which is critical for operation in trenches or rain.
Weak battery: the battery life is insufficient for long or large-scale operations.
These issues will be addressed in the next version, Phantom 2. It is expected to be delivered to Ukraine for testing at the end of 2026.
Technical risks
In addition to purely mechanical issues, military personnel and engineers point to several other serious threats:
Loss of technology. If the robot falls into enemy hands, it could lead to the leakage of sensitive data and algorithms.
Vulnerability to electronic warfare (EW). Control signals for the robot can be jammed or intercepted (spoofing).
AI unpredictability. A neural network on the battlefield may “hallucinate,” experience system failures, or alter its programmed behavior under real combat conditions.
Prospects
However, the success of the Ukrainian tests has already opened doors for Foundation to major Pentagon contracts worth $24 million for the needs of the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy.
The manufacturer is now actively preparing for large-scale production and plans to produce up to 50,000 military and industrial humanoid robots by the end of 2027, aimed at handling the most difficult tasks — from reconnaissance to mine clearance.
