Foundation Robotics deploys Phantom MK1 humanoid robots to Ukraine
Foundation Robotics deployed two Phantom MK1 humanoid robots to Ukraine in February 2026 for battlefield testing, marking the first deployment of combat-capable humanoid robots in active conflict. The robots, weighing 175 pounds each and capable of wielding firearms, are part of a $24 million Pentagon contract to develop autonomous systems for high-risk military operations.
What happened
Foundation Robotics sent two Phantom MK1 robots to Ukraine in February 2026 for testing in active combat zones.
The 175-pound humanoid robots stand 5'9" tall and are powered by proprietary cycloidal actuators combining hydraulic strength with electric motor precision. They operate through natural language commands and have been demonstrated wielding pistols and M-16 rifles.
Foundation Robotics holds $24 million in government research contracts with the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the Pentagon continues to explore militarized humanoid prototypes designed to operate alongside warfighters in complex, high-risk environments.
Reported impact
Co-founder Mike LeBlanc, a 14-year Marine Corps veteran, stated that humanoid soldiers do not crack under intense mental pressure and can be deployed as highly expendable assets, representing a natural evolution from drones to ground bots to humanoid robots.
Index analysis
One source noted that legal frameworks lack mechanisms for prosecuting robotic war crimes and malfunctions arising from autonomous weapons deployment.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.