finance
Humanoid Robot Fires Mortar in Las Vegas Test Funded by U.S. Military Grants
Foundation Future Industries demonstrated its Phantom MK1 robot operating a mobile light mortar system during a live-fire exercise in Las Vegas, Nevada. The San Francisco company has received more than $73 million in U.S. military grants and contracts for the project.
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A video released this week shows the Phantom MK1 humanoid robot operating a mobile light mortar system during a live-fire exercise in Las Vegas, Nevada. The demonstration marks the first public footage of the robot handling a kinetic weapons system. Foundation Future Industries, based in San Francisco, developed the Phantom MK1 for heavy manufacturing, logistics, and military applications.
The company stated that the ultimate goal for the robot has always been kinetic use cases. U.S. military has provided Foundation Future Industries with more than $73 million in grants and contracts to develop the Phantom MK1.
The company said humanoids are the only robot being built that can interact with the entire fleet and arsenal of human weapons and vehicles. Foundation Future Industries said launching mortars and soon breaching doors have become near-term proofs of humanoids moving from logistics to kinetic engagements.
The company added that the defense angle includes replacing human soldiers for close-quarters battle operations such as breaching and room-clearing support.
Foundation co-founder and CEO Sankaet Pathak stated that a humanoid-soldier arms race is already happening as Russia and China develop dual-use technology. Pathak said that, just like drones or machine guns, humanoid robots must first get into the hands of customers. ZeroHedge reported the video and company statements on June 13, 2026.
