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U.S. orders robots to lead fight against roadside bombs
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, May 18, 2005
The U.S. military has ordered robots for detecting and defeating roadside
bombs in Iraq. The robots would be operated by U.S. ground forces in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
The robot ordered was identified as the Talon-3B robot. The Talon has
been described as a commercial robot and explosive ordnance disposal system, Middle East Newsline reported.
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A soldier from the 752nd EOD Co. places a block of C4 explosive in the gripper of a TALON robot in Fallujah.
www.army-technology.com
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"The Talon-3B will be used by EOD personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan in
the reconnaissance, disruption, and render-safe of improvised explosive
devices," a Defense Department statement said.
The Talon, which weighs about 80 pounds and has a range of 1.6
kilometers, was said to be capable of being fitted with seven image-relay
cameras. The Talon, which contains lights to enhance night maneuvers, could
also climb rocks and operate in sand and mud.
The Pentagon said that it has awarded a $20.3 million contract to
Foster-Miller Inc. for an unspecified number of Talon robots. The statement
said the award on Sept. 30 called for the implementation of most of the
contract at Foster-Miller's facility in Waltham, Mass.
The contract was expected to be completed by October 2009. The
statement said contract funds expired at the end of fiscal year 2004 and
that the Naval Sea Systems Command, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md.,
would oversee the contract.
Copyright © 2005 East West
Services, Inc.
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