|
Trending Topics
|
Israeli Start-Up Snags U.S. Air Force Robot Contract
(Defense News) Barbara Opall-Rome - After competing with America's leading robot providers, Tel Aviv-based Roboteam's U.S. subsidiary has snagged a $25 million U.S. Air Force contract to provide up to 250 anti-IED Micro Tactical Ground Robots (MTGR) through 2022, the Pentagon announced last week. The man-portable, stair-climbing, battle-tested system will be used in support of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) missions. Two years ago, Roboteam's MTGR was tapped for fast-tracked fielding to U.S. special operations forces and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Billed by the company as the world's lightest EOD platform, the single-soldier-carried MTGR travels at 2 mph, climbs 8-inch stairs and has a line of sight operating range of more than 1,600 feet. Its five onboard cameras, internal microphone and infrared laser pointers generate intelligence and targeting data a full 360-degrees around the vehicle while an encrypted radio streams secure voice and video back to tactical operators and higher command staff.