FLIR Defense, a division of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced the delivery of its 1,000th robot under the Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) contract with the U.S. Army and other services. The MTRS Inc II ground robot, known as Centaur®, is an essential tool used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams for disabling improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines, and unexploded ordnance, as well as performing other dangerous tasks. Additionally, the robot can be equipped with various sensors and payloads to address missions involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
FLIR Defense's Elkridge facility in Maryland is responsible for manufacturing the MTRS Inc II robots, which have been procured by the U.S. Army and other military branches for their EOD units. The company was selected by the U.S. Army in 2017 as the system provider for the MTRS Inc. II program, and since then, orders for over 1,800 robots have been received from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, amounting to more than $250 million in total.
Dr. JihFen Lei, the executive vice president and general manager of FLIR Defense, expressed gratitude for the widespread adoption of the Centaur robot within the U.S. military. She stated,
"We are honored that this versatile robot has become the most widely produced tactical unmanned ground vehicle used by America’s military since the Gulf Wars. Our team in Elkridge and around the world is proud to build technology platforms like Centaur that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines rely on to keep them from harm’s way during hazardous missions."
The MTRS Inc II robot is a medium-sized unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that offers a standoff capability for detecting, confirming, identifying, and disposing of various hazards. Weighing approximately 160 pounds, the rugged robot is equipped with an advanced visual/thermal camera suite for day and night operations, a manipulator arm with a reach of over six feet, and the ability to navigate stairs. It also supports modular payloads for CBRN detection and other operational requirements.
The successful delivery of the 1,000th robot signifies the significance of the MTRS Inc II program in enhancing the capabilities of EOD teams and safeguarding military personnel during critical missions. With FLIR Defense's continued dedication to developing cutting-edge technology, the Centaur robot remains a vital asset in protecting the lives of those who serve in the U.S. armed forces.
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