Remotely operated ground vehicle with counter-IED rollers to be developed by General Dynamics Robotics

DURHAM, N.C., 23 March 2011.Unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designers at General Dynamics Robotics Systems in Westminster, Md., are continuing their research and development into remotely operated ground vehicles able to destroy booby-trap-type roadside bombs and similar improvised explosive devices (IEDs) under terms of a $13.6 million U.S. Army contract announced Tuesday.Officials of the Army Research Office in Research Triangle Park, N.C., are asking General Dynamics Robotics to build a remotely operated ground vehicle that uses a roller to neutralize IEDs designed to explode when infantrymen or vehicles come in contact with them. Military forces refer to these kinds of roadside bombs as victim-operated improvised explosive devices.The contract is part of the Phase II Joint Improvised Explosive Devices Defeat Organization’s (JIEDDO) program to develop remotely operated ground vehicle utilizing a roller to neutralize victim operated improvised explosive devices.

Rollers designed to destroy mines and IEDs are mounted in front of wheeled vehicles, and are designed to detonate hidden and buried explosives before the vehicle itself passes over them. The idea is to blow up the explosives before they can do damage to the vehicle or to military personnel nearby.

Anti-mine rollers have been used on main battle tanks, other armored combat vehicles, and remotely operated vehicles for many years. JIEDDO officials are seeking to mount rollers to an unmanned ground vehicle to enhance safety to the vehicle operator and others in the vicinity.

The JIEDDO, headquartered in Washington, is in place to develop and deploy counter-IED technologies and capabilities rapidly to protect U.S. and allied warfighters in Iraq, Afghanistan, and anywhere else troops are deployed.

On its latest contract, General Dynamics Robotics will do the work in Westminster, Md., and Afghanistan, and should be finished by March 2012. For more information contact General Dynamics Robotics online at www.gdrs.com, or the JIEDDO at www.jieddo.dod.mil.