ReconRobotics has received an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the supply of more than 1,000 miniature, throwable, mobile robots to the US Army’s rapid equipping force (REF).
Delivered under the $13.9m contract, the robots are expected to provide dismounted soldiers with immediate tactical reconnaissance during urban warfare operations, surveillance missions and counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED) efforts.
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ReconRobotics Military Programs director Ernest Langdon said: "For several years, our micro-robot systems have played a key role in protecting the lives of our soldiers and marines as they conduct operations in active combat theatres.”
The order streamlines the acquisition process for deploying US Army and Marine Corps units, as well as accelerating delivery on pre-priced micro-robot systems and accessories, which has already received and started delivering the first order under this contract for 84 robots.
Recon Scout XT is an advanced, throwable, easy-to-carry reconnaissance robot, developed to withstand being dropped from up to 30ft and thrown over distances of 120ft during route and compound-clearing operations.
Designed to be carried in a pocket or small pack, the robot can be deployed by a dismounted soldier in less than five seconds for vital video and audio reconnaissance, in addition to helping identify hidden enemy combatants, IEDs, as well as the presence of civilians.
Featuring an automatic, infrared optical system that provides clear, reconnaissance imagery even in total darkness, the robot can also be lowered into crawl spaces or caves to search for weapons caches and other hidden threats.
More than 2,000 robots are currently deployed in Afghanistan, as well as used by the US Navy SEALs, Special Forces and more than 350 law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Image: Recon Scout Reconnaissance XT will assist the US Army in high-risk tactical missions. Photo: courtesy of ReconRobotics.
