CHAPPIE is a sophisticated unmanned quadruped robot (QUGV) employed by the US Space Force for defense against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Designed for CBRN threat detection and neutralization operations, CHAPPIE is one of only two vehicles of its type in service with the Department of Defense.
The robot is equipped with advanced remote sensing systems that use existing sensors to identify hazardous substances from a safe distance, thus protecting military personnel from direct exposure to high-risk situations.
CHAPPIE was made possible by a $1,24 million grant from the Air Force’s AFWERX innovation program, which enables direct collaboration between the military and technology industry to develop advanced solutions. AFWERX aims to reduce development time for critical technologies, allowing tools like CHAPPIE to reach troops quickly, effectively responding to operational needs rather than waiting years.
Sergeant Dominic Garcia, one of the project's initiators, began to imagine the robot during a mission in Syria, where he was responsible for identifying and neutralizing chemical weapons in difficult contexts. This field experience highlighted the need for a vehicle that could intervene in highly contaminated environments quickly and safely. Garcia then requested funding through the program Small Business Innovation Research of AFWERX, which led to the creation of a high-performance prototype in less than two years.
CHAPPIE has been successfully tested at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Dugway Proving Ground, achieving results that met 90% of the expected objectives.
Photo: United States Space Force
