L3 Harris Technologies has secured a £21m ($26.24m) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement arm Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) for 50 T4 bomb disposal robots.
The contract includes an initial three years of in-service maintenance and repair support.
Equipped to handle explosives and hazardous materials, the T4 bomb disposal robots have been put through rigorous testing.
L3 Harris plans to deliver the first batch of T4 robots before the end of 2024.
These units are particularly adept at navigating confined urban environments using its tough all terrain treads and adjustable manipulation arm. It can even ascend stairs, making them ideal for use in a variety of scenarios.
The T4 robots feature advanced control systems, high-definition cameras, and lightning-fast datalink, allowing operators to perform complex tasks remotely.
Furthermore, the robots can help explosives team in situations of bomb and hazardous material disposal, significantly reducing the risk to service members and civilians.
At just over 100kg, the T4 robots are smaller and more agile than the larger 300kg T7 unmanned ground vehicles, which are currently in use.
Both the T4 and T7 models incorporate 'advanced haptic feedback' technology, enabling operators to 'feel' their way through the intricate disarming process from a safe distance.
UK Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said: “Procuring this high tech robot means that we can provide our forces with the tools they need to safely handle a range explosive threats.
“Rapidly delivering uncrewed systems, like the T4, that ensure our armed forces can safely face future threats is a key part of our Drone Defence Strategy.”
DE&S land equipment director Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies said: “The T4’s will enter service with the 29 EOD & Search Group and the Diving Threat and Exploitation Group, Royal Gibraltar Regiment and Cyprus Operational Support Unit.”
The UK government has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, which translates to an additional £75bn investment over the next six years.
