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QinetiQ North America Rolls Out a Robotic First: the Field-Transformable Dragon Runner Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

September 10, 2008

thomas

Troops now have fast, transformer-like ability to modify the Dragon Runner
SUGV to fit a variety of critical missions

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ — QinetiQ North America’s
Technology Solutions Group today launches its new Dragon Runner Small
Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Dragon Runner SUGV). Dragon Runner SUGV is the
first fully modular ground robot system capable of both quick
reconnaissance and improvised explosive device (IED) disarmament in urban,
mountainous or rural environments.

Based on a robot originally designed for the U.S. Marine Corps, the
modular base unit Dragon Runner weighs less than 20 pounds and can be
carried by one person in a standard-issue pack. With field-transformable
features that quickly snap or bolt into place — no special tools required
— Dragon Runner SUGV can morph to fit virtually any mission.

Dragon Runner SUGV can adapt quickly to fit a variety of critical
mission scenarios. These include: reconnaissance inside buildings, sewers,
drainpipes, caves and courtyards; perimeter security using on-board motion
and sound detectors; checkpoint security; in-vehicle and under-vehicle
inspections; and hostage barricade reconnaissance and negotiation.

Operators of Dragon Runner SUGV have the ability to add tracks for
maximum mobility and a manipulator arm with rotating shoulder, wrist and
grippers for dexterity. In addition, day and night pan/tilt/zoom cameras,
motion detectors and a listening capability allow Dragon Runner SUGV to
further extend the combat team’s situational awareness.

Additionally, Dragon Runner SUGV, gives operators field-changeable
frequency capabilities, using analog or digital radio options, to improve
flexibility and range. Standard vehicle and operator control unit batteries
mean that troops can use available government inventory for reduced cost
and improved sustainability, making Dragon Runner SUGV even easier to
integrate into current missions.

“We listened closely to our military customers’ needs, and Dragon
Runner SUGV is the result,” said Dr. William Ribich, President of the
Technology Solutions Group, QinetiQ North America. “We’ve created a
lightweight, modular robot that can climb stairs, open doors, provide
critical reconnaissance information and disarm IEDs — all while protecting
our troops, who control the robot from a safe distance.”

QinetiQ North America also provides a worldwide maintenance and support
plan to return battle-damaged Dragon Runner SUGVs to active duty as quickly
as possible.

“When Dragon Runner SUGV takes a hit, that means at least one soldier
or marine was kept from harm,” Ribich concluded.

About QinetiQ North America

QinetiQ (pronounced “kinetic”) North America Operations LLC provides
world-class technology and responsive solutions to U.S. government
customers. With more than 6,000 engineers, scientists and professionals
working in partnership with customers, QinetiQ North America develops
innovative technology solutions to meet the challenges of national defense,
homeland security and information access. QinetiQ North America is part of
QinetiQ Group plc, one of the world’s leading defense and security
technology companies. For more information, please visit
http://www.QinetiQ-NA.com.

About QinetiQ North America Technology Solutions Group

QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group, headquartered in
Waltham, MA, includes the businesses of Foster-Miller, Inc., and its
subsidiaries Planning Systems Incorporated, Automatika, Applied Perception,
Spectro, Inc., and the research and development activities of Apogen
Technologies, Inc. It is a technology and product development group with an
international reputation for delivering innovative products and systems
that perform under the most demanding conditions.

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