Innovations & technologies

Bomb-neutralizing robot secures British Army order

A robot with the enough dexterity to defuse improvised explosive devices has been selected to equip the British Army with a new generation of remotely controlled bomb-disposal equipment, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced at the DSEI show in London, England, on Wednesday.

The British have become the first customer for Harris Corporation’s T7 in a deal that could see the U.S. contractor net up to £55 million (U.S. $73 million ) to supply 56 of the robots for bomb-disposal duties with the British Army, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Ed Zoiss, president of Harris’ Electronic Systems division, said the sale represents the “first of several more international contract awards we’re anticipating for the T7.”

The British program gets underway with a £4 million demonstration phase. The aim is to have first deliveries in the middle of next year, said Dana Mehnert, the chief global business development officer at Harris.