Centaur UGVs to aid in detection of IEDs
NewsApril 06, 2020
WILSONVILLE, Ore. FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered more than 140 of the company’s Centaur unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), plus spares. The $18.6 million contract is sourced through the Department of Defense Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) program.
FLIR announced the U.S Air Force had ordered almost 200 Centaurs through a $23 million contract earlier this month. Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams will use the FLIR Centaur to assist in disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordnance, and similar hazardous tasks. Different sensors and payloads can be added to support a range of missions.
In 2017, the U.S. Army chose Endeavor Robotics, acquired a year ago by FLIR, as its medium-sized robot provider for MTRS Inc II. The company designed the all-new Centaur as its MTRS solution.
Centaur is a medium-sized UGV that provides a standoff capability to detect, confirm, identify, and dispose of hazards. Weighing roughly 160 pounds, the open-architecture robot features an EO/IR camera suite, a manipulator arm that reaches over six feet, and the ability to climb stairs. Modular payloads can be used for CBRNE detection and other missions, according to FLIR.
