The SUGV 325 portable and modular robot is engineered to provide a versatile solution for a broad spectrum of missions. Credit: Teledyne FLIR Defense/Business Wire.

The Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) 325 is a portable and modular robot developed by Teledyne FLIR Defense, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies and a provider of mission-critical technologies and systems.

The single-person-carry UGV is engineered to address contemporary challenges and offers a versatile solution for a wide range of missions.

It is suitable for both dismounted and mobile operations and is capable of navigating challenging terrain and ascending stairs.

In June 2024, Teledyne FLIR Defense showcased the SUGV 325 robot at the Eurosatory event in Paris, France.

Teledyne FLIR Defense offers a range of robots tailored for defence applications apart from the SUGV 325.

Some of the other robots include the FirstLook throwable and rugged robot, and the PackBot 510 and PackBot 525 man-portable and multimission robots.

SUGV 325 portable robot design and features

The SUGV 325 weighs approximately 20lb in its lightest operational setup. It weighs 17.9lb without batteries.

The IP-67-rated robot features the uPoint multi-robot control system, comprising a touchscreen tablet and a hand controller, which enhances operator control and situational awareness.

Compatible with various Android tablet sizes, the system supports integration with Nett Warrior and Android Team Awareness Kit.

It also integrates with the Wave Relay mobile ad-hoc network to establish a resilient network, enabling robots, operators, and observers to work together seamlessly.

The robot is equipped with illumination in white light and near-infrared.

Sensors and cameras

Technology upgrades on the new SUGV 325 include an array of sensors such as HD visible cameras, long-wave infrared sensors, stitched 360-degree cameras, and two-way audio communication.

Performance features

The portable robot has a runtime of up to four hours with two BB-2557 batteries and up to eight hours with two BB-2590 batteries.

It can reach speeds of up to seven metres per hour and operate within a temperature range of -4°F to 122°F.

The SUGV 325 robot is designed for agility and can turn in place with zero radius. The robot’s articulating flippers enable it to overcome challenging terrains and obstacles.

The robot can handle vertical obstacles up to 12in, climb stairs with an incline of up to 45 degrees, and navigate slopes with a vertical angle of 45 degrees and a lateral angle of 30 degrees.

SUGV 325 payload capabilities

The SUGV 325 features an open payload architecture compliant with the intelligent operator panel (IOP), enabling operators to integrate a variety of payloads and accessories based on mission requirements.

The robot features a manipulator with five degrees of freedom and a toolless mission module interface.

It is equipped with a 30x optical zoom mission module, weighing 1.3lb, and a configurable interface based on the IOP mounting standard, further enhancing its mission capabilities.

The adapter on the portable robot allows for direct mounting of mission modules onto the chassis, streamlining operations and maximising efficiency.

Mission capabilities of SUGV 325

The multimission robot provides users with a highly mobile system, ensuring their safety while they assess potential threats.

The enhanced features and capabilities of the SUGV 325 make it suitable for military applications like surveillance, reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal, and remote inspection of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

The SUGV dismounted pack is designed to support dismounted operations with dedicated storage compartments that secure the robot, controller, batteries, and additional gear.