Pentagon Fast-Tracks Fielding of Israeli-Designed Robot Stair-Climbing Micro System To Support Special Missions TEL AVIV — The US Defense Department is fast-tracking deployment of an Israeli-designed, stair-climbing micro robot to support special operations and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) forces. Designed by Roboteam, a small start-up firm based here, the Micro Tactical Ground Robot (MTGR) is being rapidly deployed to special operations forces, the US Department of Homeland Security and other users in parallel to ongoing operational tests by the Pentagon’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO). CTTSO, the authority managing the interagency program on behalf of the US assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, said it has earmarked 100 robots for “priority fielding” to special ops forces and EOD war fighters, while another 35 are destined for domestic use by interagency tactical units. According to Roboteam executives, the MTGR weighs less than 20 pounds, carries its weight in payload and is built to clear obstacles, climb stairs and conduct complex maneuvers in extreme terrain. Its five onboard cameras, internal microphone and infrared laser pointers generate intelligence and targeting data 360 degrees around the vehicle, while an encrypted radio streams secure voice and video to tactical operators and higher command staff. “MTGR provides dismounted operators with capabilities to conduct dismounted [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] and to identify IED threats in the field and urban multi-surface environments from safe standoff range,” according to the CTTSO website. Fast-tracked testing and fielding of the Israeli- designed system is part of a 40-month CTTSO effort that extends through 2015 and is estimated to cost $15.7 million. Produced in the US by Roboteam’s McLean, Va.-based subsidiary, CTTSO-projected end-users include Army Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Command, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and the Marine Corps combat engineer schoolhouse.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 14:05:50 +0000