NAVSEA flexes TALONs

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Foster-Miller, a wholly owned Qinetiq subsidiary, has received an additional $28 million in funding from the US Naval Surface Warfare Center for approximately 200 more TALON robots.

Foster-Miller

, a wholly owned Qinetiq subsidiary, has received an additional $28 million in funding from the US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NAVSEA) for approximately 200 more TALON robots and replacement spare parts to fix robots damaged while neutralising roadside bombs in

Iraq

and

Afghanistan

.



This funding comes under a multiyear contract that is part of the MTRS (man-transportable robotic systems) programme that runs through to 2009. The value of the contract is $257 million, of which $53.6 million has now been funded to Foster-Miller.



NAVSEA is the single service manager for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and purchases EOD robots for the US Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines. Foster-Miller shipped its 500th TALON robot to US forces at the end of April. Qinetiq claimed in a statement that TALON robots are viewed as essential equipment for soldiers serving in a very hostile environment.



"We thank NAVSEA for their continued confidence in Foster-Miller's TALON robots," said Dr William Ribich, president and CEO at Foster-Miller. "The public is becoming increasingly aware of the devastation caused by IEDs and the important role a robot such as the TALON plays in keeping our soldiers out of harm's way whenever possible."