iRobot receives orders totaling $22M

iRobot Corp. has announced it received orders under two separate contracts from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), that manages these contracts on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Warren, Mich. and Huntsville, Ala.

PEO STRI placed a $16 million order, the third under the xBot contract, to put more than 200 robots and spare parts into the hands of infantry by October 31, 2008. Orders to date now total $27 million under this $286 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

iRobot also received a delivery order totaling $6.3 million under the PEO STRI contract for a combination of iRobot® PackBot® 510 with EOD kit robots, the iRobot PackBot with ICx Fido Explosives Detection Kits, as well as spare parts and equipment. Total orders under this $64 million IDIQ contract equal $52 million, and iRobot expects to complete delivery by the end of September 30, 2008.

To date iRobot has delivered more than 1,500 PackBot robots.

Source: iRobot

New on-board ROV hazard prediction application

Allen-Vanguard has launched ROV-Track CBRNE, a unique software application for its Defender and Vanguard bomb disposal robots which predicts and illustrates CBRNE hazard areas around a suspect device.

The hazard prediction is based on data compiled by meteorological and CBRNE sensors integrated with the ROV and transmitted to the command console. Scene controllers are provided with a clear visual display of potential down-wind exposure enabling the formulation of a safe and effective response. Continual recalculation based on prevailing conditions means that controllers can make decisions based on real-time status.

ROV-Track CBRNE predicts the hazard area based on relevant standards for blast effect, fragmentation and the characteristics of CBRN agents. However, these standards may be manually updated in line with the user’s experience and response protocols. Defender has integral GPS and can be fitted with up to four sensors as well as a set of disruptors. The smaller, more lightweight Vanguard™ can carry two sensors.

Source: Allen-Vanguard

New UK de-mining kit

Ultra Electronics Command and Control Systems (Ultra CCS) worked closely with Director Equipment Capability (Ground Manoeuvre) to bring a new counter-mine capability to theatre a year early.

"The dismounted counter-mine capability provides Royal Engineer combat engineers, infantry assault pioneers, Royal Armoured Corps assault troopers and Royal Marine assault engineers with the ability to detect minimum metal mines in very challenging soil conditions.

It has been so successful that doctrine has been changed to lead with the new detector, as opposed to the 'prodder', which greatly improves the rate of advance.

The kit is made up of the impressive Vallon detector, improved marking equipment and enhancements to the level of protection for the operator in the event of a mine explosion. There is also a package of training which includes kits for users to keep up skill levels while in their unit."

Source: MoD

New biodetector for U.S.

The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a contract option worth approximately $43 million to produce and test Joint Biological Point Detection Systems (JBPDS). The contract terms also include field-support packages and user training for the technology. This award is a modification of a 2004 contract and brings the total value to date to more than $200 million.

The JBPDS is a self-contained instrument suite that rapidly detects and identifies biological warfare agents. Available in man-portable, shelter-based, ship-based and trailer-mounted variants, the JBPDS is a Joint Services program and is configured to meet the operational requirements of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

Source: General Dynamics

More detection articles here.

General Dynamics to roll out detection systems

General Dynamics (GD) Armament and Technical Products, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was awarded a $43,081,582 firm fixed-price contract for the purpose of the exercise of options under existing contract for 60 Joint Biological Point Detection Systems as well as related fielding support packages, system testing, and user training. One bid was solicited and one bid received for the contract that has an estimated completion date of December 30, 2009. Work is to be performed at Columbus, Ohio (60 percent) and Charlotte, North Carolina (40 percent).

Note: This would seem to relate to activities last fall.

In October 2007 U.S. Department of Defense asked GD to participate in the first major phase of Increment 2 of the Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) Program. Their JUNO incorporates "differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) technology, providing better detection, sensitivity and selectivity compared with that of traditional, handheld ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)-based chemical agent detectors."

The units "... feature(s) a simple, cell phone-style interface and is capable of detecting, identifying, quantifying and alerting individual warfighters to the presence of chemical agent vapors. In addition, as new chemical threats emerge, JUNO(TM)'s software can be upgraded and its detection library capacity can be expanded. It can be used in handheld, fixed-site, ground vehicle, shipboard and aircraft interior applications."

At that time the Sionex Corp. announced that they were supplying GD with the DMS technology.

Souces: DoD and GD Armament and Technical Products
Photo: General Dynamics

Fox Block 1 upgrade

The M93 was originally developed for the German military and the first U.S. unit was equipped with the NBCRS-Fox Block 1 system (M93A1) in October 1998.

The role of the M93A1 is to: "Detect, identify, and mark areas of nuclear and chemical contamination; sample soil, water and vegetation for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) contamination; and report accurate information to supported commanders in real time."

The Department of Defense has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $5,977,752 firm-fixed-price contract for integrated logistics support for the FOX Block 1 upgrade plus program. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009.

Sources: Various
Photo: U.S. Army

NGOs to receive new mine detectors

Thanks to Ares, a recent article in Financial Times Deutschland indicates that the American Handheld Standoff Mine Detection System will be available to NGOs in Afghanistan.

The HSTMIDS looks like a standard metal detector but takes multisensor approach with stand-off alerting to mines out to 10 meters.

Sources: As cited
Photo: US Army

DNA, a nose for explosives?

"Solid-State, Dye-Labeled DNA Detects Volatile Compounds in the Vapor Phase" is the title of a paper out of Tufts University.

The technology attached a fluorescent dye to a strand of DNA. Different vapours are passed over the DNA changing the dye's fluorescence. In the experiments one of the chemicals successfully detected by the DNA "nose" was toluene.

Source: As cited.