EOD robot system passes critical design review

BALTIMORE, June 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman Corporation have completed the critical design review of a robotic system for explosive ordnance disposal.

The robot for increment one of the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System, or AEODRS, program is back-packable and weighs less than 35 pounds.

It features a handheld operator control unit, communications link, mobility capability module, master capability module, power capability module, manipulator capability module, end effector capability module, visual sensors capability module, autonomous behaviors capability module and others.

Northrop Grumman said the review was conducted by a government team of experts, managers and Navy and Marine Corps users, who deemed the final design for the system technically realistic and achievable.

The team also determined the detailed design satisfies cost, schedule and mission performance requirements and that the system is ready to proceed with fabrication, assembly, integration and testing.

"The successful CDR so soon after contract award clearly shows the commitment of the Navy and Northrop Grumman team to fill this key gap for EOD robotic operations," said Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, missile defense and protective systems division, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "We will continue our close collaboration with the Navy and user communities to ensure the delivery of a quality system that meets Navy requirements."

The AEODRS program is for the creation of a family of unmanned ground vehicle systems with a high degree of interoperability for rapid integration of new technologies.

The AEODRS increment one contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman and its team by U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command in 2015.

Northrup Grumman's team for the AEODRS increment one program includes Bokam Engineering, Carnegie Robotics, Harris Corporation, Hunter Defense Technologies, Neya Systems, QinetiQ North America, and Telefactor Robotics.