BURLINGTON, Mass., 19 Sept. 2007.iRobot Corp. announced two Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) delivery orders totaling $19 million for 128 additional bomb-disposal robots to be shipped to U.S. forces overseas. These latest awards bring the total value of NAVSEA orders placed to date to $94 million. iRobot expects to deliver the additional iRobot PackBot Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) robots by mid-2008.
Under the terms of the previously existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, the military could order up to the full $264 million value in robots, spare parts, training, and repair services. The U.S. military's MTRS program has requirements for up to 1,800 robots through 2012.
"Robots are evolving to become one of the most important innovations to come out of the current military conflict," says Vice Admiral Joe Dyer (U.S. Navy, Ret.), president of iRobot Government & Industrial Robots. "NAVSEA continues to be a leader in quickly providing the most advanced, life-saving tools to our troops when and where they need it."
PackBot MTRS robots are customized for NAVSEA and are based on iRobot's combat-proven PackBot EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) robots. PackBot MTRS robots are equipped with advanced tools and sensors that enable EOD technicians to detect, identify, and disable explosive devices from safe distances.
