U.S. Marine Corps orders more than 140 of FLIR Systems’ Centaur UGVs

April 3, 2020 | AUVSI News

Through an $18.6 million contract sourced through the Dept. of Defense Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) program, the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered more than 140 of FLIR Systems’ Centaur UGVs, plus spares.

Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams will use the UGVs to help with various hazardous tasks such as disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance. Different sensors and payloads can be added to support several different mission types.

Deliveries of the UGVs are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2020.

“Centaur gives the Marines a multipurpose, mid-sized UGV that will complement the FLIR PackBot, SUGV and FirstLook robots we continue to provide to the Corps,” says David Ray, president of the Government & Defense Technologies business at FLIR.

“We’re honored the Air Force and now Marines are choosing Centaur as an EOD platform-of-choice, and pleased the U.S. Army MTRS Inc II program can serve as a procurement channel.”

A medium-sized UGV that weights approximately 160 pounds, Centaur provides a standoff capability to detect, confirm, identify, and dispose of hazards. The open-architecture UGV is equipped with an advanced EO/IR camera suite, a manipulator arm that reaches over six feet, and the ability to climb stairs. Modular payloads can be used for CBRNE detection and other missions.

Endeavor Robotics, which was acquired by FLIR in 2019, was chosen by the U.S. Army as the medium-sized robot provider for MTRS Inc II in 2017. Endeavor Robotics designed the all-new Centaur as its MTRS platform. It is under that multi-year program of record—valued at more than $150 million, including options, upon award—that FLIR is delivering the robots to the Army. This latest order falls under the current ceiling.