MERRIMACK, N.H., March 6 (UPI) -- BAE Systems reports it will continue to lead a collaborative U.S. Army effort for bio-inspired micro-robotics technology to extend remote sensing capabilities.
The development effort, involving scientists from the Army Research Laboratory, industry and academia, is called the Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology Collaborative Technology Alliance.
The five-year contract extension given BAE Systems is for Phase 2 of MAST, which will focus on areas such as micro-scale aeromechanics and ambulation; propulsion; sensing; autonomy; and navigation and control of robotic platforms that would be used by individual soldiers in complex environments such as urban areas.
"The technologies being developed under MAST will support products that extend soldiers' capabilities while keeping them out of harm's way," said Bill Devine, MAST's strategic development manager for BAE Systems.
"We are proud to continue our successful collaboration with the ARL on the next phase of this exciting program."
The value of the five-year extension is $43 million.
