Huntsville, Ala. -- The Boeing Company and partner iRobot Corp. today announced that they have received an initial contract with the U.S. Air Force to provide Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles (SUGV) to its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. The contract calls for up to 70 model 310 SUGV robots, with an initial value of $3.84 million.

The Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract will run through September 2012.

"Boeing and iRobot are pleased to expand our customer base to the U.S. Air Force, placing this key technology into the hands of airmen around the world," said Bob DaLee, Robotics program manager, Boeing Network & Tactical Systems. "The 310 SUGV system will provide the Air Force with the capability that our current customers have come to rely on in dealing with dangerous situations in war zones."

"Robots like the 310 SUGV have already proven their worth on today's battlefield," said Robert Moses, president of iRobot's Government and Industrial division. "Every day, the military is finding new ways to implement this game-changing technology, all in an effort to increase mission success and keep warfighters safe."

Boeing
13.10.2010