U.S. Army orders Recon Scout XT Robots worth $13.9 million

PanARMENIAN.Net - ReconRobotics, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a $13.9 million contract for 1,100 Recon Scout® XT micro-robot kits from the U.S. Army Contracting Command on behalf of the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force.

This is the largest order in the company’s history and, in terms of the number of units, it is also the largest micro-robot order ever issued by the U.S. Army, reconrobotics.com reports.

In addition, the company announced two accessory orders totaling nearly $1 million from the Rapid Equipping Force. ReconRobotics plans to complete deliveries on these orders by May 31, 2012.

"We are honored that the U.S. Army has once again chosen our Recon Scout XT system for their dismounted troops,” said Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programs for ReconRobotics. "Although these 1.2-lb robots are exceptionally small, they will play a big role in providing our warfighters with increased situational awareness and standoff distance as they conduct operations in active combat theaters."

The weight of the entire XT system (robot and handheld Operator Control Unit) is just 3 pounds (1.3kg), and the robot can be deployed in five seconds and thrown up to 120 feet (36m). The XT is also exceptionally quiet and is equipped with an infrared optical system that allows the operator to explore an environment in complete darkness.