US Marine Corps to Have More Advanced Standoff Capability

US Marine Corps to Have More Advanced Standoff Capability

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The US Marine Corps has ordered more than 140 Centaur unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). Centaur is a medium-sized UGV that provides a standoff capability to detect, confirm, identify, and dispose of hazards. Weighing roughly 160 pounds, the open-architecture robot features an advanced EO/IR camera suite, a manipulator arm that reaches over six feet, and the ability to climb stairs. Modular payloads can be used for CBRNE detection and other missions.

The $18.6 million contract with FLIR Systems is sourced through the Dept. of Defense Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) program.

Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams will use the FLIR Centaur to assist in disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordnance, and similar hazardous tasks. Different sensors and payloads can be added to support a range of missions. 

The deal will provide the Marines a multipurpose, mid-sized UGV that will complement the FLIR PackBot, SUGV and FirstLook robots from FLIR.

Another batch of almost 200 Centaur UGVs was ordered earlier by the US Air Force through a $23 million contract. 

According to army recognition.com, in 2017, the US Army chose Endeavor Robotics, acquired a year ago by FLIR, as its medium-sized robot provider for MTRS Inc II. The company designed the all-new Centaur as its MTRS solution. 

Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2020.

Interested in learning more about advanced unmanned vehicle technologies? Attend the AUS&R Unmanned Systems and Robotics Conference and Exhibition on September 6, 2020

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