QinetiQ Extends its TALON(R) Robot Family to Me...

LONDON, February 9 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photos

    QinetiQ has extended its TALON family of robots, 2,500 of which have
already been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, to ensure it continues to meet
the ever-changing demands of detecting and clearing mines, unexploded
ordnance and dangerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a safe
distance.



    Detection and clearance of mines is of particular importance in
Afghanistan, where large numbers of landmines litter the countryside as a
result of almost continuous fighting since the late 1970s injuring 200,000
people according to United Nations estimates. The new TALON IV Engineer robot
is particularly well suited to operations in the region with a longer,
stronger reach, stronger grasp, and the ability to right itself.



    "Our TALON IV Engineer robot, with its extra strength and reach expands
the capabilities of troops to remotely clear routes, minefields or other
hazardous areas. And as with other TALON models it gives them the ability to
see inside and around vehicles and other barriers, helping increase their
overall safety," explained Dr William Ribich, president of QinetiQ's US
Technology Solutions Group.



    "TALON robots are extensively used by US forces and have already helped
save thousands of explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineers from
injury or possible death in the performance of their mission to clear mines
and disarm IEDs. This new model delivers greater flexibility and means they
can safely detect and deal with a greater variety of threats from a
distance."



    Key features of the TALON IV Engineer robot include a full-swivel
manipulator arm combined with a seven-foot reach. This means a portable mine
detector can be taken out of a soldier's hands and mounted on the robot, so
the search can be conducted remotely. Because the arm is longer, stronger and
able to swivel, the robot can now also be used to remotely search inside
bins, in higher vehicle cabs and flatbeds plus behind guard rails or other
obstacles. The arm is also capable of lifting 65 pounds (30 kilograms), which
means soldiers can clear heavy debris off IEDs remotely too.



    Since its initial deployment in 2000, the TALON family of robots has
expanded to include small, medium and large robots devoted to specific tasks,
such as IED disposal, reconnaissance, hazardous materials detection, combat
engineering support and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit assistance.
New robots introduced in the last year include MAARS(TM) and Dragon
Runner(TM) SUGV which address the military's need for standoff protection,
over and above the successful use of TALON for counter-IED missions. Today,
2,500 TALON robots are deployed with the US military - far surpassing the
deployment of any other military-use robot. They are also being evaluated or
used by a growing number of other military and civil customers.



    Dr Ribich concluded: "Combined with QinetiQ's global repair and
maintenance footprint, we provide complete mission support. The TALON family
of robots stands ready to assist troops and security forces in any corner of
the globe."



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Notes for Editors:

    QinetiQ (pronounced "kinetic") is a leading international
defence and security technology company with over 8,000 employees in EMEA
(Europe, Middle East and Australasia) and more than 5,500 in North America.



    QinetiQ's vision is to be the world's leading provider of
defence and security based technology solutions and services.



    In February 2006, QinetiQ Group plc was listed on the London
Stock Exchange and joined the FTSE250 in June 2006. In the year to 31 March
2008, QinetiQ delivered a 19 per cent increase in revenue to GBP1,366m,
including organic growth of 8.6 per cent, and a 20 per cent increase in
underlying operating profit to GBP127m. Underlying earnings per share
increased by 19% to 13.4p per share.



Visit the website at http://www.QinetiQ.com

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LONDON, February 9 /PRNewswire/ --