US Orders Talon IV EOD Robots for Pakistan

By US Department of Defense on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

QinetiQ North America, Waltham, Mass., is being awarded a $7,772,646 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of Talon IV vehicles, spares and training. This contract will support Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Pakistan (100 percent).

Talon IV EOD Robot

The Talon IV robot provides the military’s explosive ordnance disposal technicians with a man transportable capability to remotely perform reconnaissance.

Work will be performed in Waltham, Mass. (99 percent), and Pakistan (1 percent) and is expected to be completed by December 2013. FMS funding in the amount of $7,772,646 will be obligated at the time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract was synopsized via Federal Business Opportunities as a sole source procurement authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) — only one responsible source will satisfy the needs of the agency.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-13-C-0018).

 

A Brief Intro of TALON

Since its introduction more than a decade ago, QinetiQ North America’s TALON® family of robots has earned a reputation for durability, flexibility, modularity and performance in keeping personnel, assets and civilians out of harm’s way. In military, law enforcement and first responder applications, these lightweight tracked vehicles are widely deployed for improvised explosive device (IED) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), reconnaissance, communications, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive)/hazmat, security, heavy lift, defense and rescue missions.

Different Parts Intro of Talon IV EOD Robot

Of the full range of robots QinetiQ North America develops – with varying sizes and capabilities to help protect warfighters and first responders dealing with a variety of scenarios – the best-known robot is TALON. Initially deployed in 2000, the TALON robot system has grown to include many specialized models, modules, attachments, and applications, from route clearance missions to SWAT/MP unit support. Large enough to get the job done, yet small enough to be easily transported, the TALON is a remarkable achievement in robotic technology.

The TALON Line

• TALON Military – The original, standard TALON robot
• TALON CBRNE/Hazmat – Configured with hazardous material detection devices
• TALON w/GEN IV Heavy Lift – Equipped with a heavy duty rotating shoulder and longer reach than a standard TALON
• TALON Responder – Designed specifically for urban and public safety applications
• TALON SWAT/MP – Equipped for tactical scenarios frequently encountered by SWAT units and MPs

The TALON is fast and mobile, able to climb stairs, negotiate rock piles, overcome concertina wire and plow through snow. The robots have been used worldwide, from Ground Zero after the 2001 World Trade Center attack – where it withstood repeated decontamination – to Iraq, where a TALON deployed with an EOD team was borrowed by a nearby infantry unit to follow a bomb-wielding insurgent into a building. The insurgent dropped the building, but the TALON survived. Rugged, easy to use, and – most importantly – protecting the lives of those who protect ours. TALON delivers.

Expertise in Action

• Rugged — TALON robots can take a punch and stay in the fight. One was blown off the roof of a Humvee in Iraq while the Humvee was crossing a bridge over a river. TALON flew off the bridge and plunged into the river below. Soldiers later used its operator control unit to drive the robot back out of the river and up onto the bank so they could retrieve it.
• Withstands Repeated Decontamination — Demonstrated at Ground Zero after the 2001 World Trade Center attack in New York City. TALON electronics withstood 45 straight days of being decontaminated twice-a-day without failing.

Talon IV in operation_1

Talon IV in operation_2