Endeavor Robotics to prime on U.S. Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle Program.

Endeavor Robotics, a world’s leading provider of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), announced that it has formally teamed with Howe and Howe Technologies, of Waterboro (Maine) to bring a new unmanned version of Ripsaw vehicle to the U.S. Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Program.

Phase 1 of the RCV Program is currently underway, with the Army conducting initial experimentation using MII3 armored personnel carriers (Picture source: US Army)

Endeavor will serve as prime contractor in a partnership that brings together two companies with a rich history of building ruggedly mobile, reliable and mission-effective ground vehicles. Phase 1 of the RCV Program is currently underway, with the Army conducting initial experimentation using M113 armored personnel carriers. Endeavor and Howe & Howe will pursue Phase 2 of the program, expected to begin later next year, with their purpose-built system. The follow-on production phase is currently projected to seek up to 7,000 RCV systems.

“RCV represents the largest robotic system program in the history of ground robotics,” said Sean Bielat, Endeavor Robotics CEO. “As the nation’s leading supplier of UGVs for more than 15 years, we are uniquely positioned to compete for – and win – RCV. “Combining Endeavor’s robotic systems integration expertise and battle-proven unmanned ground vehicle portfolio with Howe and Howe’s advanced Ripsaw platform, we will be well positioned as teammates to deliver a truly best-value solution to the Army,” Bielat added.

Endeavor is one of two finalists now in a run-off for the U.S. Army’s Common Robotic System–Individual program, a ‘back-packable’ UGV weighing less than 25 lbs. Worth up to $400 million, the contract to build over 3,000 robots is slated to be announced early next year. Last year, the company won the Army’s Man Transportable Robotic System-Increment II program, an award worth up to $158 million with options, to build a multi-mission UGV that weighs roughly 150 pounds.

Various versions of the Ripsaw have featured in movies such as ‘Mad Max: Fury Road,’ ‘G.I. Joe Retaliation,’ and ‘Fast and Furious 8: Fate of the Furious.’