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2021-10-01

L3Harris Robots to Help Protect USAF Bases

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has awarded L3Harris Technologies a 10-year, US$85-million, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to produce up to 170 T7 robots to replace its existing 20-year-old Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) system, which mitigates explosives threat at bases around the world.

The contract includes robots, robotics support, maintenance and training, with initial deliveries scheduled in 2022.

According to Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris, the T7 is setting the new standard for large EOD robots and has received outstanding technical and usability ratings from the Air Force.

The contract follows L3Harris’ successful delivery of Project Starter to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), which replaced the MOD’s ageing fleet of EOD robots with 122 T7 robots.

System Advantages

L3Harris has developed the T7 robot from the ground up to support the demanding requirements of commercial and military missions, including hazardous materials (HAZMAT) clean-up, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The robot’s intuitive interface redefines ease of use with immersive force feedback, helping greatly in command and control. Its precision control and human-like dexterity shorten task completion time and improve mission effectiveness.

The T7 robot system has the strength and dexterity to tackle any challenge. Its rugged, automotive-grade track system provides outstanding mobility and manoeuvrability. A variety of attachments enable use of standard-issue sensors, disruptors and tools.

T7 includes a pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) camera mast, high power multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) radios, and immersive haptic feedback for intuitive control, situational awareness and mobility in rough terrain.

L3Harris’ intuitive motion control and haptic feedback make operating T7 as natural as moving one’s hand.

T4 Robotic System

L3Harris’ T4 is a highly mobile unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with the superior strength and all-terrain, all-weather performance to overcome any challenge.

Ruggedised T4 robot has the power and dexterity to support the most demanding commercial and military missions. It allows operators to quickly access, inspect and defeat hazardous threats in tight urban spaces, as well as austere environments.

T4 is the first medium-sized robot with haptic feedback, an advanced technology that allows operators to feel exactly what the robotic arm touches or holds. Through its unique user interface, the robot arm mirrors the movement of the user’s hand, minimising required training and maximising mission effectiveness. Customer testing has proven that T4’s haptic control reduces task completion time by 20 per cent or more.

The robot’s intuitive haptic control enables difficult manipulation tasks, such as unzipping bags and opening glove boxes, to be performed quickly and easily – keeping operators out of harm’s way.

The L3Harris family of robots, including the T7 and its equally capable medium-sized counterpart, the T4, were demonstrated at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference in London from Sept. 14-17. It will also be demonstrated at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) conference in Washington, DC in October.

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