Home > News Centre > Talon contract worth $124m and robots to patrol the aisles at DSEi
13 September 05
Talon contract worth $124m and robots to patrol the aisles at DSEi
TALON Robot from Foster-Miller
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Foster-Miller announces largest US military order for its powerful, durable, lightweight tracked vehicles
TALONTM robots, manufactured and marketed by Foster-Miller Inc - a QinetiQ company since 14 September 2004 - will be patrolling the aisles at DSEi, the first major UK defence exhibition since the acquisition and the first time many will have had the opportunity to see this versatile robot at close hand. The SWORDS variant, which can be configured with M240 or M249 machine guns or Barrett 50-calibre rifles for armed reconnaissance missions, could also be in action at the show.
Foster-Miller has also just announced that it has received its largest US military order to date for ground robots with the multi-year contract being increased from $27.5 million for 250 robots to $124million for up to 1200 TALONTM Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots. This order falls under the Man Transportable Robotic System Program that is managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD. Robots will be delivered to Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy EOD units around the world.
"Foster-Miller is honoured that TALONTM robots continue to be the soldier's choice for EOD operations," said Dr William Ribich, president and CEO. "Every robot we can put in harm's way helps to protect soldiers and civilians and reduces the threats posed by the battlefield. Foster-Miller is committed to constant innovation to insure we provide our war fighters with the strategic advantage needed to complete their mission."
TALON robots are powerful, durable, lightweight tracked vehicles that are widely used for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), reconnaissance, communications, sensing, security, defence and rescue. They have all-weather, day/night and amphibious capabilities and can navigate virtually any terrain.
The TALON robot at DSEi will be fitted to demonstrate a number of QinetiQ developed capabilities including Broadway, a compact, neutral lighting system for EOD applications.
TALON key characteristics comprise:-
"The growing collaboration between QinetiQ and Foster Miller is resulting in some significant step changes in the development and delivery of robotic systems," stated Tim Young, QinetiQ's business group manager responsible for robotics and vehicle sub-systems. "The TALON platform is one of the most versatile and robust available with some 300 already in service. By adding QinetiQ developed capabilities like Broadway we are able to offer one of the most sophisticated platforms available today."
TALONTM robots, manufactured and marketed by Foster-Miller Inc - a QinetiQ company since 14 September 2004 - will be patrolling the aisles at DSEi, the first major UK defence exhibition since the acquisition and the first time many will have had the opportunity to see this versatile robot at close hand. The SWORDS variant, which can be configured with M240 or M249 machine guns or Barrett 50-calibre rifles for armed reconnaissance missions, could also be in action at the show.
Foster-Miller has also just announced that it has received its largest US military order to date for ground robots with the multi-year contract being increased from $27.5 million for 250 robots to $124million for up to 1200 TALONTM Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots. This order falls under the Man Transportable Robotic System Program that is managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD. Robots will be delivered to Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy EOD units around the world.
"Foster-Miller is honoured that TALONTM robots continue to be the soldier's choice for EOD operations," said Dr William Ribich, president and CEO. "Every robot we can put in harm's way helps to protect soldiers and civilians and reduces the threats posed by the battlefield. Foster-Miller is committed to constant innovation to insure we provide our war fighters with the strategic advantage needed to complete their mission."
TALON robots are powerful, durable, lightweight tracked vehicles that are widely used for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), reconnaissance, communications, sensing, security, defence and rescue. They have all-weather, day/night and amphibious capabilities and can navigate virtually any terrain.
The TALON robot at DSEi will be fitted to demonstrate a number of QinetiQ developed capabilities including Broadway, a compact, neutral lighting system for EOD applications.
TALON key characteristics comprise:-
- Man-portable - At less than 100 lb (45 kg), TALON can be easily transported and is instantly ready for operation.
- Rugged - TALON robots can take a punch and stay in the fight. One was blown off the roof of a US Humvee in Iraq, while the Humvee was crossing a river via a bridge. TALON flew off the bridge and plunged into the river below. Soldiers later used its operator control unit to drive the robot back out of the river and up onto the bank so they could retrieve it.
- Fast - TALON is the fastest robot on the market today with seven speed settings.
- High payload capacity - Long-term system versatility optimizes investment. TALON has the highest payload capacity and payload-to-weight ratio, allowing for the incorporation of a broad array of sensor packages.
- Mobile - Climbs stairs, negotiates rock piles, overcomes concertina wire, ploughs through snow and surf; plus can right itself.
- Intuitive - widely regarded as the easiest robot to operate; joystick controls.
- Withstands repeated decontamination - Demonstrated at Ground Zero after 2001 World Trade Center attack in New York City. Electronics withstood 45 straight days of being decontaminated twice a day without failing.
- Long battery life - TALON robots have the longest battery life of all man-portable robots.
"The growing collaboration between QinetiQ and Foster Miller is resulting in some significant step changes in the development and delivery of robotic systems," stated Tim Young, QinetiQ's business group manager responsible for robotics and vehicle sub-systems. "The TALON platform is one of the most versatile and robust available with some 300 already in service. By adding QinetiQ developed capabilities like Broadway we are able to offer one of the most sophisticated platforms available today."
Press Officer: Douglas Millard
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