Teledyne FLIR Defense has revealed that it is completing deliveries of 127 PackBot 525 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to the German Army (Deutsches Heer).
Final shipments are expected to occur in July, with contract award and deliveries being facilitated through Teledyne FLIR’s partner, European Logistic Partners (ELP) of Wuppertal, Germany.
The Teledyne FLIR PackBot 525 is the most advanced model of the company’s signature ground robot, used by US and international defense forces since 2001.
Deployed in combat zones from the caves of Afghanistan to the IED-littered roads of Iraq, the 27 kg PackBot keeps operators safe while conducting a wide range of tasks, such as bomb disposal, close-in surveillance, and situations involving hostages or hazardous materials.
“This new delivery of unmanned assets will give Germany’s soldiers more than a hundred versatile UGVs, with upgraded features and technology to keep them from harm during dangerous missions,” said Tom Frost, general manager of Unmanned Ground Systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “PackBot is the world’s most trusted counter-IED robot, and this latest shipment adds to the German Army’s inventory of Teledyne FLIR unmanned ground vehicles.
“We’re proud to work with ELP and deepen our long-standing relationship with the German Army during this crucial and challenging time for European security,” Frost added.
“We are pleased to work with Teledyne FLIR to provide the best solutions to the German Army. Communication, coordination, and teamwork have been essential in making sure the program becomes the success it is today. These ground robots are vital to future security efforts within and outside of Germany,” said Simon Weiss, managing director at ELP.
Teledyne FLIR says the UGV is employed in 57 countries, and has helped defeat more than 70,000 IEDs.
