FLIR secures Army heavyweight robot contract

The U.S. Army has earmarked a five-year contract worth up to $109 million for FLIR Systems to provide 350 Kobra robots for the Common Robotic System-Heavy (CRS-H) program.

“We are pleased to be selected for the U.S. Army’s CRS-H program and deliver lifesaving robotic technology to our soldiers,” FLIR President and CEO Jim Cannon said. “This award exemplifies why we acquired Endeavor Robotics earlier this year — to capture strategic programs of record that enable us to integrate advanced solutions for the warfighter, give us the fuel to grow our business and strengthen our position as a leader in unmanned systems.”

Army personnel would use the robot to perform varied tasks, including disarming vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices or other dangerous heavy-duty missions. Specifications call for a robot weighing up to 700 pounds.

“Our CRS-H platform will give soldiers a powerful, extremely mobile, yet highly transportable UGV, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to keep them out of harm’s way,” David Ray, president of the Government and Defense Business Unit at FLIR, said. “This win is a testament to our employees who’ve designed such an advanced, multi-mission UGV. We look forward to working with the Army to get this robot into the field and deployed with our warfighters.”

Kobra possesses a lift capacity of 330 pounds and can stretch up to 11.5 feet while maintaining mobility on tough terrain.