QinetiQ North America recently declared that its Tactical Robotic Controller (TRC) has been deployed for first combat use.
This combat was carried out in support of the US Army’s Minotaur and Armadillo unmanned systems that were recently fielded.
The President of QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solution Group, JD Crouch says that with TRC, dismounted forces can employ a single, compact, lightweight controller to command and leverage various types of unmanned assets. This versatile controller can efficiently facilitate meeting the limitations and logistical and training challenges existing in controllers.
The TRC is an efficient lightweight controller that allows the warfighter to maneuver unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unattended ground sensors (UGS) and multiple unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). By integrating the communications pack for the systems to be controlled, the TRC can be triggered at once. Activation is enabled by selecting the touch screen application and initiating control.
Achievement of contract with the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA, contributed to the development of TRC for the U.S. Marine Corps. TRCs are being used by the researchers at Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to control several ground robots, unmanned aircraft, and unattended sensors.
According to the Senior Vice President of Unmanned Systems, Ed Godere, the heavy weight robotic controllers (20 -40 lb) poses an additional burden for dismounted forces carrying combat loads. Weighing only 10 lb, the TRC is an effective solution for managing multiple platforms and serves operations in both air and ground.
QinetiQ North America is a beneficial robotic technology solution, effective for security, defense, and first responder environments.
Source: http://www.qinetiq-na.com/