Centaur UGVs to be delivered to USAF
NewsMarch 04, 2020
WILSONVILLE, Ore. FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that the U.S. Air Force has ordered more than 180 of the company’s Centaur unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), plus spares. The $23 million contract is sourced through the Department of Defense Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) program.
The U.S. Army originally chose FLIR Systems’ legacy business, Endeavor Robotics, as its medium-sized robot provider for MTRS Inc II. The company created a newly designed UGV, Centaur, as its MTRS Inc II solution. FLIR has begun delivering Centaur units to the Army under that multi-year program of record, which upon award was valued at up to $158 million, including options.
Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams will use the FLIR Centaur to assist in disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordnance, and similar hazardous tasks. According to the company, multiple sensors and payloads can be added to Centaur to support other missions.
Centaur is a remotely operated, medium-sized UGV system that provides a standoff capability to detect, confirm, identify, and dispose of hazards. The open-architected robot features an EO/IR camera suite, a manipulator arm, and the ability to climb stairs. Its modular payloads can be used for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive detection and other missions.
