QinetiQ’s Ultra Light Reconnaissance Robot Selected by RSJPO

QinetiQ North America (QNA) today announced that its lightweight, throwable Dragon Runner 10 (DR10) robot has been selected by the U.S. military’s Robotic Systems Joint Project Office (RSJPO) to increase combat effectiveness on the battlefield. The order, valued at $4.3M, is set to deliver dozens more of the DR10 ultra-light reconnaissance robot systems to RSJPO. This is in addition to the U.S. military’s order for more than one hundred DR10 systems earlier this year, with many DR10s from the initial order already in combat. DR10 is a micro-unmanned ground vehicle designed to support military and first responder reconnaissance missions.

“We are saving lives by delivering cutting-edge, effective robots like DR10 into the hands of our warfighters,” said QNA Technology Solutions Group President JD Crouch. “This practical solution will enhance our military personnel’s combat effectiveness and help prevent casualties by giving warfighters the ability to send the robot in first.”

To protect warfighters’ lives, DR10 is thrown or driven into potentially hostile environments to assess situations remotely, before committing personnel. DR10 provides rapid situational awareness with visual reports back to its operator using day and night sensors. With optional accessories, this modular robot can also carry out other critical missions such as positioning counter-improvised explosive device charges, delivering remote sensors, gathering intelligence and conducting surveillance.

At ten pounds, DR10 is small enough to carry in an assault pack and rugged enough to throw into buildings and hostile environments. DR10 can climb stairs, carry significant payloads and maintain effective wireless communication over long distances.

QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group (TSG) is the US component of QinetiQ’s Global Products division. TSG is a world leader in robotic technology solutions that save lives in defense, security and first responder environments.