QinetiQ North America announces new $400 million IDIQ contract for Talon robots and spares

QinetiQ today announced that QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group has been awarded a new $400 million IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity) contract for additional TALON robots and replacement parts for service with the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The contract award was made by the Robotic Systems Joint Program Office (RSJPO) administered by the Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division (NAVAIR). It is a follow-on to the $150 million IDIQ awarded in the spring of 2007 that has now been fully funded.

Over 2,000 TALON robots are now deployed around the world, with a significant number located in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are used primarily to assist military personnel with the extremely dangerous job of detecting and disabling roadside bombs - the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by hostile forces to attack troops. TALON robots have been used in more than 80,000 counter-IED missions to date.

"This contract is further evidence of the growing acceptance and willingness on the part of the military to use TALON robots to keep US soldiers and marines as safe as possible,� said Dr William Ribich, president of QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group. "We are proud that TALON is deployed with all branches of the US military for counter-IED missions because of its ruggedness and ease of use."