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The UK plans to replace its Wheelbarrow Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD) system with up to 100 modern robotic
system, under the Cutlass Main Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Control System program, attracted the interest of EOD robot
manufacturers including Foster-Miller, a US subsidiary of QinetiQ
and Telerob, a Rheinmetall subsidiary, teaming with Marshall SV of
the UK.
Foster Miller recently announced that the US Armed
Forces increased their order for its robots for up to 1,200 units,
at a total cost of $124m. Foster Miller's Talon weighs less than
45kg and is considered to be one of the fastest in the robot
market. Talon is also offered in an armed version, called Sword.
Configured with either an M240 or M249 machine guns or Barrett
50-calibre rifle for, Sword can be used for armed reconnaissance
missions.
Telerob's "Teodor" of which 200 units have been
produced so far, is already operational by the German Army and
Australia. The system designed for the British Cutlass program
weighs about 300 kg and travels at a maximum speed of 9 km/h.
Mounting eight cameras, the robot is equipped with an extra-long,
eight axes manipulator arm, which can move heavy objects of up to
20 kg. The system can automatically draw one of four types of
armament from the weapon's magazine.
The issue of combating
improvised explosive
devices (IED) was addressed by Netline from Israel, displaying a
range of communications jammer devices, used for vehicle
protection and neutralizing communications at a locality where EOD teams are operating. Innovative
spray-on armor was
demonstrated by Dynashield.
Rapid barrier
construction systems were displayed by Bastion.
On the light armored vehicles side, a first view
of the Iveco/BAE Systems' Panther Light Command Vehicle was on
display, as well as the
Eagle IV from Mowag. The Eagle was
equipped with Elbit's ORCWS weapon station, mounting a 7.62mm
machine gun. An armored version of the Unimog all terrain vehicle
was on display at Armor Holdings. A new light tactical vehicles
unveiled here was Al-Thalab (Fox) long Range Patrol Vehicle based
on the Toyota LandCruiser. |
