QinetiQ launches new small UGV

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 11 (UPI) -- QinetiQ North America announced the release of its new small unmanned ground reconnaissance and bomb-disarmament vehicle.

Virginia-based QinetiQ Wednesday launched its Dragon Runner UGV, a small robot technology designed for military and homeland security reconnaissance, improvised explosive devices disarmament and hostage crisis applications.

Company officials say the Dragon Runner, capable of operating in urban, mountainous or rural combat zones, can be carried by a soldier in a pack and quickly snapped into different configurations for various tasks in the field.

"We listened closely to our military customers' needs, and Dragon Runner is the result," William Ribich, QinetiQ North America Technology Solutions Group president, said in a statement.

"We've created a lightweight, modular robot that can climb stairs, open doors, provide critical reconnaissance information and disarm IEDs -- all while protecting our troops, who control the robot from a safe distance."