QinetiQ North America Wins 2012 Counter-IED Robotics Challenge
Bobcat Engineer Wins JIEDDO Contest at U.S. Army's Robotics Rodeo
Reston, VA- QinetiQ North America today announced that its Bobcat Engineerâ„¢ unmanned vehicle has won the 2012 Counter-IED Robotics Challenge: Disrupt Challenge, Mounted Support Category at the annual Robotics Rodeo in Fort Benning, GA.
Sponsored by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), the competition was designed to demonstrate an unmanned vehicle's ability to disrupt victim-activated IED trigger switches. Vehicles were evaluated based on trigger condition, training device activation and speed. With a two-hour time limit, Bobcat Engineer successfully completed the challenge in just 35 minutes.
"Our team successfully demonstrated the superior performance of QinetiQ's military robots in IED defeat missions and numerous other challenges presented throughout the Robotics Rodeo," said QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group President JD Crouch. "These achievements emphasize the variety of missions that can be completed by military robots and, more importantly, their ability to save lives on the battlefield."
Bobcat Engineer, also known as the U.S. Army's Minotaur unmanned vehicle, includes QinetiQ's Robotic Appliqu� Kit mounted on a diesel-powered Bobcat loader equipped with mine rollers. The Robotic Appliqu� Kit can turn vehicles into unmanned systems in less than 15 minutes.
Bobcat Engineer supports a wide variety of tactical missions, including route clearance and transportation logistics for warfighter equipment and supplies. Using QinetiQ's wearable Tactical Robotic Controllerâ„¢ (TRC), a dismounted warfighter can operate Bobcat Engineer from more than 900 meters away. Developed in cooperation with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, the TRC is a universal controller for unmanned air and ground vehicles.
Operating as the U.S. component of QinetiQ's Global Products division, QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group is a world leader in robotic technology solutions that save lives in defense, security and first responder environments. For more information, please see our website www.qinetiq-na.com , read our blog techblog.qinetiq-na.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/qinetiqnarobots or Twitter at www.twitter.com/qinetiqnarobots.
About QinetiQ North America
QinetiQ North America (QNA) is a subsidiary of QinetiQ Group plc, the FTSE250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:QQ.L). Operating in North America, QNA delivers world-class technology, responsive services, and innovative solutions for global markets, focusing on US government and commercial customers. Its engineers, scientists and other professionals deliver high quality products and services that leverage detailed mission knowledge and proven, reliable tools and methodologies to meet the rapidly changing demands of national defense, homeland security and information assurance customers. QNA is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. For more information visit www.qinetiq-na.com.
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