QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group has shipped the first MAARS ground robot to the US military under a contract from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Low-Intensity Conflict (EOD/LIC) Program within the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO). MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) is the first fully modular ground robot system capable of providing a measured response including non-lethal, less-lethal and even lethal stand-off capabilities.
The MAARS system is an agile, combat-ready robot that is remotely controlled by the operator. The robot contains advanced processing capabilities and features a uni-body chassis with a plug-and-play design, which allows for ready use of new and evolving accessories and attachments. MAARS also comes with an easy-to-learn digital control system that provides comprehensive situational awareness that works up to a range of over one kilometre from the operator, effectively extending the reach of the operator and enhancing his survivability.
One of the most innovative capabilities of MAARS is the ability to apply non-lethal force by projecting the operator’s voice through mounted loudspeakers, or alternatively to pulse a green, eye-safe laser to dazzle people. In addition, MAARS’ two-way communication features allow the operator to interact from a safe distance. MAARS also has the capability to launch 40mm less-lethal ammunition, such as bean bags, smoke, star clusters and pepper spray, and lethal ammunition. If lethal action is required, an operator can launch 40mm high-explosive grenades or engage with the powerful M240B medium machine gun firing 7.62mm ammunition.
MAARS comes with tracks that can traverse all terrains, including stairs, and it is also capable of using wheels to increase speed and further reduce noise. The robot’s turret system is able to support a drop-in manipulator arm, multiple types of weapons and a wide range of sensor packages. Additional features include up to seven cameras with multi-modal capabilities. In the MAARS weapons-configured system, the operator always sees where the weapon is pointed in relation to himself and other friendly forces.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
QinetiQ ships measured response robot
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Talon's return
It seems much of the robot talk recently has focused on iRobot. However, the Talon by Foster-Miller (now a subsidiary of QinetiQ North America) is back.
F-M has been awarded a new $400 million IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity) contract for additional robots and replacement parts for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The contract award was made by the Robotic Systems Joint Program Office (RSJPO) administered by the Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division (NAVAIR). It is a follow-on to the $150 million IDIQ awarded in the spring of 2007 that has now been fully funded.
Over 2,000 Talon robots are now deployed around the world.
Source: Press Release
Thursday, March 20, 2008
New steel for armour
The MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) worked in collaboration with Cambridge University and QinetiQ to develop this unique product. Unlike conventional steels, the composition of Super Bainite was derived from first principles using thermodynamic modelling techniques. This allowed its processing, properties and cost to be optimised in months rather than years.
Whilst other armour steels need to be quenched and tempered, Super Bainite develops its properties by a completely new, low temperature mechanism called isothermal hardening. This enables ultra-high levels of hardness to be achieved without having to use expensive alloying additions.
Peter Brown, Dstl scientist says “Due to the unique process by which we have developed this new armour, Super Bainite is able to match the ballistic performance of the very best off-shore armour steels for a fraction of their cost.”
In short, it's all in how the steel is processed.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Force protection "over-roofing" test developed
QinetiQ’s force protection engineering team took just 10 weeks to establish and deliver a method of testing over-roofing structures for protection of UK forces against indirect fire mortar and rocket attacks in Iraq – currently a daily occurrence in camps across the country.
A number of potential protective systems had to be tested against the blast, fragmentation and ballistic penetrative capabilities of dynamically fired rockets and mortars so an intensive series of technically challenging trials were planned and executed. These used QinetiQ’s long test track facility at Pendine and were undertaken by the force protection engineering team from QinetiQ Land Division, working in conjunction with its Test and Evaluation Capability Services Division.
“Special test sleds were designed to secure rockets to the track that allowed them to spin at several thousand RPM, arming them in flight – something that had never been attempted before,” explained Angus Williams, head of QinetiQ’s force protection engineering team. “The launch point on the track was also adjusted to achieve an impact velocity of 300 metres per second, replicating real events in theatre. The joint team worked together extremely well to overcome the technical challenges and tight timescales, including the development of a method of dynamically firing the armed rockets down the track reliably, consistently and safely.”
Major Bob Sheldon, HQ Engineer in Chief and military subject matter expert for the project, added: “I was delighted by the success of the trial and the dedicated effort put in by QinetiQ to providing increased levels of protection for British Service personnel in camps in Iraq.”
The trial was completed successfully within the timescales and the recommendations are being incorporated into the design. QinetiQ’s initial success has also led to significant interest from the US, Canada and Israel amongst others and a second phase of trialling is being planned.
Photo: QinetiQ
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Firefighting robot - the update
My Father-in-Law came back from the war and joined the Fire Department. Mind you, Andy was in the RCN and definitely not a robot. Even he, however, would enjoy this story.
Robot watchers know QinetiQ's Foster-Miller as the makers of the Talon robot deployed with EOD teams in Iraq. Popular Mechanics, The Register and others are covering F-M's firefighting robot capability which has had a demo in London. The capability has three parts.
- A fireproofed Talon robot with a thermal imaging camera searches the area looking for, in this case, acetylene tanks,
- Debris and general damage can be moved about by the Brokk 90, and
- The Black Max unit has the "hose" function.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Military robots in mainstrean media, again
"Killer Robots from Silicon Valley" is the headline in Fortune Magazine. "Robotex, a Silicon Valley start-up, combines engineering skill and groundbreaking weaponry to create a new generation of soldiers."
Of course there's not much talk about this "new generation". We are expected to assume they're robots or, if we know about this, robot operators. The buzz is actually about a company called Robotex . It's built up like a Hollywood story. Young engineers and entrepreneurs have banded together to produce a robot armed with Atchisson Assault shotguns. Not shy, the Robotex guys take direct aim at the Foster Miller (QinetiQ) Talon robot which can be used as a weapons platform. What's the appeal? A $30,000 - $50,000 price tag. "(The Talon)... costs six times that amount. "Our system does all the same things as the Talon, weighs half as much, and costs a fraction""
Pictures in the Fortune article show two Robotex models. Neither is an "engineer" model. Are they as rugged as the Talon? You be the judge. We'll look forward to following this story.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Qinetiq Shares Climb as Military Robots Boost Profit
Qinetiq has been in the news lots these days. Was the British taxpayer ripped off when it was created? Are Qinetiq execs just too highly compensated?
That's the press. The market has seen large increases in North American sales of their Foster-Miller Talon Robot. The result has helped push up share prices.
