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A robot dog armed with a sniper rifle was unveiled this week in Washington, D.C. at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army, Fox News reported.

The robot, developed by Ghost Robotics, carries a SWORD Defense Systems Special Purpose Unmanned Rifle (SPUR).

"Latest lethality 6.5 #creedmoor sniper payload from @SWORDINT. Check out the latest partner payloads @AUSAorg Wash DC. Keeping US and allied #sof #warfighter equipped with the latest innovations," Ghost Robotics tweeted Monday, alongside a photo of the "dog."

In a Thursday Instagram post, SWORD International called the robot "Warfighters best friend."

On the SWORD International website, the company explains that the SPUR was "specifically designed to offer precision fire from unmanned platforms such as the Ghost Robotics Vision-60 quadruped."

"Featuring safe, chamber, clear, and fire capabilities that allows for safe and reliable deployment of the weapon system – providing the operator an ability to load and safe the weapon at a distance. These features also provide the operator the ability to clear malfunctions, and safely unload the platform prior to recovery. Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor allows for precision fire out to 1200m, the SPUR can similarly utilize 7.62×51 NATO cartridge for ammunition availability. Due to its highly capable sensors the SPUR can operate in a magnitude of conditions, both day and night," SWORD International wrote.

SPUR, it said, is the "future of unmanned weapon systems."

According to New Scientist, the robot is part of Ghost Robotics' Vision series of legged robots.

In May, the U.S. Air Force said it was testing an unarmed version of the dogs at Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base.