Army contracts for more iRobot PackBots

BEDFORD, Mass., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has contracted iRobot Corp. for the company's PackBot 510 with FasTac Kit robots to support infantry troops in combat operations.

Massachusetts-based iRobot Corp. received the contract from the Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. Under the $3.5 million deal, iRobot will provide the Army with 26 more of its PackBot 510 with FasTac Kit robots.

Company officials say the new order, the seventh order under a previously awarded $286 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with the Army, will support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in identifying explosive threats such as roadside bombs while keeping the soldiers at a safe distance.

"With this most recent order, the Army is making it clear that it intends to build upon its use of unmanned systems," Joe Dyer, iRobot Government and Industrial Robots president, said in a statement.

"Over the years, we have seen the life-saving benefits of the iRobot PackBot. We are honored to continue providing these valuable tools to our troops to increase mission effectiveness and keep them safer on the battlefield."