Armata tank a drone?

Today the Motley Fool is running an article pointing out that the upcoming Russian Armata tank may have the potential to be a “optionally piloted” vehicle, aka, a robot tank.

“Perhaps the most surprising revelation about Russia’s Armata tank, though, is that it’s evolving into an “optionally piloted” design. Initial versions of the tank will feature remotely operated loading and firing of the tank’s 125 mm cannon from an internal, separate crew compartment. Military experts, however, believe this is only a first step toward remotely operating the entire tank as a robot.

This would permit the Armata tank to be deployed as the spearhead of an armored offensive, breaching enemy defenses without risking the lives of Russian soldiers. Subsequent tank waves crewed by three humans each — a driver, gunner, and tank commander — could then follow the robotic shock troops.”

Of course, being a financial paper the Motley Fool article primarily focuses not on the military (or moral) implications of the idea of robot controlled tanks, but rather on how investors can personally profit from such a development.