http://geopolitical.janes.com/defence/news/jdw/jdw000608_1_n.sht ml 08/06/00 USMC to buy robots for urban warfare operations BRYAN BENDER JDW Bureau Chief The US Marine Corps (USMC) will acquire two robotic systems to help conduct surveillance missions in the confined spaces of cities and towns that are unfamiliar, potentially hazardous but expected to characterise a growing number of military deployments. USMC Systems Command in Virginia said that under "simplified acquisition procedures," it intends to purchase one K8 Urban Robot System, developed by iRobot of Massachusetts, and one Lemming unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), developed by the Foster Miller company of Massachusetts. Both systems, developed as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Tactical Mobile Robotics Program, will participate in urban warfare experiments being conducted by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. The tracked K8 is 23.5in long and 20in wide (60cm x 51cm), 6.7in high (17cm) and weighs 30lb (13.5kg). The remotely-piloted UGV has tracked flippers enabling it to climb stairs, steep ramps, stand upright and, if necessary, right itself. "The K8 is the only tactical ground robot that can climb stairs and is also able to sense that it has turned over and has flippers that it can use to autonomously right itself if the vehicle flips over," according to a USMC programme description. "This robot, the smallest and fastest of the robots funded by DARPA, is also the only tactical UGV that has successfully passed six-foot drop tests." These drop tests, officials say, are critical to ensuring the robot can be thrown through a window by a marine to get inside a target building to conduct surveillance using an onboard video unit, monochrome camera, eavesdropping equipment and halogen and infrared illuminators to relay information to a flat panel monitor. The Lemming UGV is slightly narrower, longer and higher than the K8, and includes a manipulating arm to suspend a camera above the vehicle or pick up objects. The design is unique because of its ability to operate underwater for sustained periods providing an amphibious capability in sewers and drainage pipes. Though the marines intend to award sole-source contracts to the two companies the service says both of their systems met or exceeded DARPA's technical goals the service is seeking information by 8 June from other potential suppliers with the ability to meet the specifications. The planned procurement comes as all the US military services are increasingly setting their sights on autonomous systems, including robots, UGVs, unmanned air vehicles and unmanned undersea vehicles to serve intelligence-gathering and mine countermeasures duties and other functions. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
