FLIR Systems, Inc. has won a competitive proposal for contracts with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and Oslo Police to provide more than 20 of its Packbot unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), as well as spare parts and training.
The rugged FLIR Packbot supports a wide range of operations that otherwise put humans at risk, such as bomb disposal, close-in surveillance, and situations involving hostages or hazardous materials. The latest Packbot model will allow Norway’s defense and Oslo’s police forces to upgrade and expand their ground robot inventory, supplied by FLIR’s legacy UGV business.
“These new ground robots will give our men and women in uniform the latest technology in unmanned platforms to keep them out of harm’s way while performing dangerous missions,” said Brigadier Ivar Halset, Commander General Materiel Division, Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency. “We’ve relied on the Packbot for many years and look forward to benefiting from its new features and capabilities.”
“For over a decade, we’ve proudly partnered with Norwegian military and police to supply advanced unmanned ground systems that bolster their security readiness,” said Roger Wells, Vice President and General Manager of FLIR’s Unmanned Systems & Integrated Solutions Division. “Our newest Packbots offer enhanced communications, a tablet-based controller, and a common architecture that allows cameras, sensors and other attachments to be quickly connected to suit different mission needs.”
The first Packbots were fielded with US troops in Afghanistan in 2002. Adaptable with an array of payloads that deliver real-time intelligence, the Packbot can perform sensing of chemical, biological, and nerve agents, radiation levels, explosive traces, and toxic industrial gases. More than 4,500 Packbots have been deployed to military and other security forces worldwide.
