Teledyne FLIR Upgrades Kobra Multi-Mission UGV Platform

The new UGV is highly maneuverable in rough terrain and incorporates full HD cameras and modular payloads By Mike Ball / 13 Jun 2022
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Teledyne FLIR Defense has launched the Kobra 725 modular UGV (unmanned ground vehicle), which features a range of new capabilities and technology upgrades and enhanced lift capacity and mobility compared to its predecessor the Kobra 710. The new ground robotics system was introduced at the Eurosatory 2022 trade show.

The Kobra 725 provides unmatched power and payload support in an easy-to-operate package. The robot’s advanced manipulator arm can lift heavy loads and stretches to a height of nearly four meters to access hard-to-reach places. At less than 250 kg, the rugged Kobra 725 is highly maneuverable, even in rough terrain, climbs stairs, and even surmounts jersey barriers. New technology includes full-HD cameras, wide angle visual/thermal mobility cameras, field-swappable radio modules, and AES-256 encryption.

Kobra 725’s features make it ideally suited for military applications such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)/counter-vehicle-borne IED missions, remote CBRN detection, weapon integration, and reconnaissance, as well as other tough jobs from building safety and hazmat inspections to nuclear power maintenance.

Highlights of the Kobra 725 include:

Improved Mobility: With a top speed of 13 km per hour, the Kobra 725 excels in getting down range fast, allowing operators to quickly interrogate a device or target.
Powerful and Compact: Kobra delivers heavy lift capacity yet stows down into a compact footprint and is easily transportable, even in small vehicles.
Versatile, Rugged Design: The platform is highly configurable, designed to handle dangerous battlefield situations in all weather conditions, such as route clearance, breaching, and vehicle-borne IEDs.
Superior Communications: MPU5 high-performance radio with Wave Relay MANET and MIMO technology allows Kobra 725 to penetrate deeper into complex structures and further down range than ever before.
Cutting-Edge Technology: Typical configuration includes a mast-mounted HD PTZ camera as well as several universal payload ports and mounting points to attach and integrate numerous accessories, such as thermal cameras, mine clearance tools, rangefinders, LIDAR, X-ray equipment, CBRN sensors, weapons, and more.

The U.S. Army has previously selected the FLIR Kobra as its Common Robotic System-Heavy (CRS-H) robotic platform and approved a five-year production contract to build upwards of 350 unmanned ground vehicles. In November 2021, the Army announced it had begun fielding CRS-H robots.

Dr. David Cullin, vice president and general manager of Unmanned and Integrated Solutions at Teledyne FLIR Defense, commented: “Our new Kobra 725 delivers a range of upgrades and enhancements that address increasingly complex situations troops are facing on frontlines right now. This multi-mission robot gives users a powerful, highly mobile system that keeps them out of danger areas as they evaluate and mitigate threats.”

“We’re proud to offer the Kobra 725 and to continue innovating this vital platform for defense and industrial customers.”

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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