QinetiQ North America Receives Urgent Order for Micro Robots

RESTON, Va. - QinetiQ North America’s Dragon Runner 10 (DR10) has been selected by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) in response to a Joint Urgent Operations Needs Statement (JUONS) for lightweight, throwable robots, the company announced in a Jan. 24 release.

This order for more than 100 DR10 robots represents the first significant U.S. military procurement of this new class of robot.

The JIEDDO order includes DR10 robots and spare parts at a contract value of $5.3 million. Initial deliveries were made within four weeks of contract award, and follow-on deliveries will continue into early spring 2012.

With multiple cameras and payload options, DR10 is ideal for reconnaissance and surveillance missions to support small military units, patrols and first responder teams, the company said. At just over 10 pounds, DR10 is small enough to carry in an assault pack and rugged enough to throw into buildings and hostile environments. DR10 can climb stairs, carry significant payloads and maintain effective wireless communication over long distances.

To protect warfighter lives, DR10 is thrown or driven into potentially hostile environments to assess situations remotely, before committing personnel. DR10 provides rapid situational awareness with visual reports back to its operator using day and night sensors. With optional accessories, this modular robot can also carry out other critical missions such as delivering counter-IED charges and remote sensors.

Multiple payloads are available, including a variety of sensors, radios, cameras and robotic arms. DR10 can be equipped with either tracked or wheeled mobility options to negotiate various types of terrain. When thrown, DR10 has the ability to automatically flip video images, antennae and controls upon landing. DR10 is 15 inches long, 13.5 inches wide and 5.8 inches tall.