U.S. defense engineers say their new ground robot has set a speed record as part of research into scientific and engineering advances in robot mobility.

The "Cheetah" robot is part of the Pentagon's Maximum Mobility and Manipulation program to overcome limitations on robot capabilities to allow them to assist soldiers in a range of combat missions, TG Daily reported Monday.

The "Cheetah," which researchers said is patterned after the fast-running big cats in nature, can gallop at up to 18 mph, setting a speed record for legged robots.

The previous record was 13.1 mph, set in 1989.

The robot lengthens its stride and increases its speed by flexing and unflexing its back with each step as a real cheetah does, researchers said.

Although the current version of the Cheetah robot runs on a treadmill using external power and a boom-like device to keep it running in the center of the treadmill, testing of a free-running prototype is planned for later this year, they said. (UPI)