New UGVs to Support US Air Force

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United States Air Force has ordered more than 180 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), plus spares within the framework of a $23 million contract. Air Force teams will use the FLIR Systems’ Centaur robot to help disarm improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordnance, and perform similar hazardous tasks. Multiple sensors and payloads can be added to the Centaur to support other missions. 

The contract was sourced through the Dept. of Defense Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) program.

Centaur is a remotely operated, medium-sized UGV system that provides a standoff capability to detect, confirm, identify, and dispose of hazards. The open-architected robot features an advanced EO/IR camera suite, a manipulator arm that reaches more than six feet, and the ability to climb stairs. Its modular payloads can be used for CBRNE detection and other missions, according to finance.yahoo.com.

The Centaur weighs 74 kg, can operate for up to 8 hours at a time with its standard military batteries and is modular in design. 

Shipments of the UGVs are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2020.