Bomb Disposal - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman, US Navy Complete Critical Design Review for Bomb Disposal Robot Program

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 13:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE -- The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for increment one of the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS) program.

The successful Critical Design Review determined that Northrop Grumman's final design for the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System dismounted operations variant satisfies cost, schedule and mission performance requirements and demonstrates the maturity for proceeding with system fabrication, assembly, integration and test.

AEODRS increment one is the dismounted operations system designed for EOD reconnaissance and threat assessment. The CDR provided an in-depth assessment, by a government team of experts, managers and Navy and Marine Corps users, that the final design for the AEODRS dismounted operations variant is programmatically and technically realistic and achievable. The successful review determined the detailed design satisfies cost, schedule and mission performance requirements and demonstrates the maturity for proceeding with system fabrication, assembly, integration and test.

"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 will create a family of unmanned ground vehicle systems with a high degree of interoperability for rapid integration of new technologies. The "back-packable" increment one system weighs less than 35 pounds and comprises the 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 other minor components.

Naval Sea Systems Command awarded AEODRS increment one on Aug. 31, 2015 to the Northrop Grumman team that includes Bokam Engineering, Carnegie Robotics, Harris Corporation, Hunter Defense Technologies, Neya Systems, QinetiQ North America, and Telefactor Robotics. Northrop Grumman's offering uses a modular, open systems approach that allows the robot to be quickly adapted for a variety of mission scenarios.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

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Northrop Grumman Remotec Next-generation Andros FX Robot on Display at DSEI

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:33:00 GMT

LONDON, Sept. 17, 2015 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will feature its recently-launched Andros FX unmanned ground vehicle at the DSEI exhibition, taking place Sept. 15-18 at ExCel, London.

Northrop Grumman subsidiary Remotec Inc. designed Andros FX™ to defeat a wide range of threats including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. The more capable and dexterous robot will be available for viewing on the Northrop Grumman exhibit at stand S5-310. This is the first time Andros FX has been on display in the UK.

The most visible features of the Andros FX are the four track pods that replace the traditional Andros articulators and a new arm design with more lift capacity and greater dexterity by adding roll joints that provide nine degrees of freedom. It also features updated system electronics, mobility improvements for increased speed and maneuverability, and a new touchscreen operator control unit with 3-D system graphics, advanced manipulator controls and improved user interface.

"The feedback we have received from EOD teams has indicated what they need most are more capabilities to counter vehicle-borne IEDs," said Walt Werner, director, Northrop Grumman Remotec. "Andros FX has been designed from the ground up, to meet these requirements and provides the most advanced technology while at the same time making the system easier to use and maintain, and keeping danger at a distance."

The Andros FX builds on Remotec's F6 family and its 20-year record as a workhorse for first responders and the military. Like other robots in Remotec's Andros fleet, its operating system provides much greater information to the operator while easing user workload through more interactivity with intelligent payloads such as chemical and radiation sensors. Preset arm positions and the ability to "fly the gripper" make manipulation of objects much easier, faster and more accurate.

Andros FX was designed using a proven concurrent engineering process to develop a superior product at an affordable price. Werner said increased cross-functional involvement early in the design phase results in a much lower lifecycle cost as well as a product that can be quickly adapted for a variety of missions, easily upgraded and expanded, and more efficiently maintained.

Northrop Grumman Remotec will make pricing available in December 2015 and begin taking orders for the Andros FX in April 2016.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

  CONTACT: Ken Beedle
         +44 (0) 207 747 1910
         +44 (0) 7787 174092
         ken.beedle@euro.ngc.com
         
         Janis Lamar
         703-556-1650
         janis.lamar@ngc.com

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Northrop Grumman Remotec Unveils Next-generation Andros(TM) Robot

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:00:00 GMT

CLINTON, Tenn. – June 4, 2015 – Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subsidiary Remotec Inc. has unveiled the Andros FX™, a more capable and dexterous unmanned ground vehicle designed to defeat a wide range of threats including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED).

Northrop Grumman Remotec will give members of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI) a first look at the Andros FX™ during the IABTI's annual International In-Service Training conference next week in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The most visible features of the Andros FX™ are the four track pods that replace the traditional Andros articulators and a new arm design with more lift capacity and greater dexterity by adding roll joints that provide nine degrees of freedom. It also features updated system electronics, mobility improvements for increased speed and maneuverability, and a new touchscreen operator control unit with 3-D system graphics, advanced manipulator controls and improved user interface.

"Bomb squads have told us what they need most are more capabilities to counter vehicle-borne IEDs," said Walt Werner, director, Northrop Grumman Remotec. "Andros FX™ was designed from the ground up based on that feedback to give the bomb tech community the most advanced technology while at the same time making the system easier to use and maintain to keep danger at a distance."

The Andros FX™ builds on Remotec's F6 family and its 20-year record as a workhorse for first responders and the military. Like other robots in Remotec's Andros fleet, its operating system provides much greater information to the operator while easing user workload through more interactivity with intelligent payloads such as chemical and radiation sensors. Preset arm positions and the ability to "fly the gripper" make manipulation of objects much easier, faster and more accurate.

Andros FX™ was designed using a proven concurrent engineering process to develop a superior product at an affordable price. Werner said increased cross-functional involvement early in the design phase results in a much lower lifecycle cost as well as a product that can be quickly adapted for a variety of missions, easily upgraded and expanded, and more efficiently maintained.

Northrop Grumman Remotec will make pricing available in December 2015 and begin taking orders for the Andros FX in April 2016.

Northrop Grumman Remotec, based in Clinton, Tenn., is the largest provider of robots to the first responder market in addition to systems fielded with the U.S. military and bomb squads in 36 countries.

  CONTACT: Janis Lamar
         703-556-1650
         janis.lamar@ngc.com

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