MANET Radios to be Integrated into QNA Ground Robots

By Mike Ball / 11 Jan 2017
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Qinetiq North America UGV

QinetiQ North America (QNA) and Persistent Systems have announced a long-term agreement to integrate Persistent’s MANET radio products into QNA’s TALON and Dragon Runner ground robots. The MANET relay radio can connect QNA’s ground robot family with a reliable, high throughput, and long range MANET communication system that is self-forming, self-healing, and scalable.

QNA tactical robots equipped with Persistent’s Wave Relay system provide:

  • Increased operational range and throughput in urban and subterranean environments
  • Multiple Real-time HD video feeds to the operator from all robots within the MANET
  • The ability for a tactical team wearing MPU5 radio systems to receive video and sensor data from the UGV in real time, increasing situational awareness and operational effectiveness

“QinetiQ North America has a long history of delivering the most cutting edge systems, sensors, and capabilities on our family of ground robots. Persistent’s MANET relay radio products can significantly increase the communication range enabling the robot operator to perform dangerous missions at much greater distances. At the end of the day, everything we do is about keeping our soldiers safe,” said Jeff Yorsz, President of QinetiQ North America.

Dr. Herbert Rubens, CEO of Persistent Systems, offered a similar perspective. “Our agreement with QinetiQ North America brings us closer to achieving our vision of a fully networked battlefield. The Wave Relay MANET also lays the groundwork for autonomous and collaborative behaviors that will dominate the battlefield of the future. We are excited to work with QNA to deliver the most cutting edge technology to the warfighter.”

QNA has begun accepting orders for MPU5-equipped Talon V systems.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact