NAVSEA contracts for IED disposal robots

BEDFORD, Mass., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has contracted iRobot Corp. to deliver its PackBot robot technologies to support Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians.

Massachusetts-based iRobot was awarded the contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command in Maryland. Under the $13.5 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity deal, iRobot will deliver its PackBot Man Transportable Robotic System robots.

The PackBot order, which also includes spare parts, engineering, training and repair services among other requirements, will go to support safe explosive ordnance detection and disposal.

"I am pleased that Naval Sea Systems Command is continuing to invest heavily in robotic technology," Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots, said in a statement.

"Improvised explosive devices remain one of the biggest threats to our troops overseas. Naval Sea Systems Command, and the military as a whole, is keenly aware of the role robots are playing to minimize the damage caused by these devices."