QINETIQ WEAPONISES TALON
11 Sep 07. QinetiQ Weaponises its Talon(tm) Robots for Demo of SWORDS at DSEi. The Talon(tm) family of versatile Explosive Ordnance (bomb) Disposal (EOD) robots are produced by Foster-Miller, a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ North America. The SWORD (Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Direct-action System) variant can be configured with either an M240 or M249 machine gun or a Barrett .50 calibre rifle for armed reconnaissance missions. These systems will be on display on QinetiQ’s stand 641 at DSEi (11-14 September).
Talon robots are a family of powerful, durable, lightweight, remotely operated, tracked vehicles that enable the operator to be positioned up to a kilometre away from the danger point. Talon robots are widely used for EOD, reconnaissance, communications, sensing, security, defence and rescue operations. They have all-weather, day/night capabilities and can navigate virtually any type of terrain. The flexibility of the Talon architecture facilitates straight forward integration of sensors and accessories making it a highly versatile platform and one which requires a low logistic footprint.
Multiple SWORDS variant prototype systems have been delivered to the US Army ARDEC (Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center) for evaluation. Three of these systems have now completed extensive testing with the 3rd Infantry Division and are being deployed to Iraq. Additional systems are currently being evaluated by military units in the United States and by other nations – the latest variant includes a 40mm grenade launcher and an anti-tank rocket launcher.
“With over 1000 EOD units in theatre to date, the Talon robot customer base continues to grow worldwide,” explained Chrys Stevenson, business development director for QinetiQ’s Land business. “The SWORD variant will further extend the versatility of this platform and it can be used to protect ground forces and operate in dangerous and hazardous environments. The operators, who can be located some distance away, are able to control their missions from a position of relative safety. Of significant importance is that the operator remains in direct control of the SWORD at all times and a person has to make the final decision to engage the target.”
* The Talon family of versatile Explosive Ordnance (bomb) Disposal (EOD) robots are produced by Foster-Miller, a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ North America. The SWORD (special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Direct-action System) variant can be configured with either an M240 or M249 machine gun or a Barrett. 50 calibre rifle for armed reconnaissance missions. These systems will be on display on QuinetiQ’s stand 641 at DSEi (11-14 September)
Talon robots are a family of powerful, durable, lightweight, remotely operated, tracked vehicles that enable the operator to be positioned up to a kilometre away from the danger point. Talon robots are widely used for EOD, reconnaissance, communications, sensing, security, and defence and rescue operations. They have all-weather, day/night capabilities and can navigate virtually any type of terrain. The flexibility of the Talon architecture facilitates straight forward integration of sensors and accessorises making it a highly versatile platform and one which requires a low logistic footprint.