Boeing, iRobot to produce IED robots

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The Boeing Co. and iRobot Corp. have received a U.S. Air Force contract to provide small unmanned ground vehicles to its explosive ordnance disposal team.

The contract calls for up to 70 model 310 SUGV robots, with an initial value of $3.84 million.

The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract will run through September 2012.

"Boeing and iRobot are pleased to expand our customer base to the U.S. Air Force, placing this key technology into the hands of airmen around the world," said Bob DaLee, Robotics program manager, Boeing Network & Tactical Systems. "The 310 SUGV system will provide the Air Force with the capability that our current customers have come to rely on in dealing with dangerous situations in war zones."

Boeing and iRobot developed the SUGV family of vehicles under an alliance that began in 2007. It is designed to give warfighters real-time awareness of critical situations and to allow them to complete missions from safe standoff distances.

As the prime contractor, Boeing provides program management, contracts, and quality-control support from offices in Huntsville, Ala. Meanwhile, iRobot is responsible for engineering, manufacturing, training and logistics services, with the majority of work conducted in Bedford, Mass.