Qinetiq North America has developed fifth generation of TALON EOD Robot.

The American Company Qinetiq North America has developed the fifth generation of its TALON explosive ordnance disposal robot offering new capabilities and plug-and-play architecture for a full range of accessories. Since its introduction in 2000, QinetiQ North America’s TALON family of robots has earned a reputation for durability, flexibility, modularity and performance in keeping personnel, assets and civilians out of harm’s way.

The Talon V is the fifth generation of TALON EOD robot developed by QINETIQ North America (Picture source Army Recognition)

For over 10 years TALON robots have been used for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, reconnaissance, sensing, communications, defense and security. TALONs have earned a reputation for durability, flexibility and performance in keeping military and first responders out of harm’s way. The latest model in the TALON family, the TALON V has been designed to provide open architecture including additional features and enhanced performance.

The TALON V is the first IOP compatible robotic platform available in its class. This next generation TALON robot provides 16 total I/O ports including IOP A and B connectors. The software is JAUS AS4 compliant and supports Plug and Play discovery of IOP devices.

The TALON V features a new high performance drive motor option which is capable of speeds up to 6 miles per hour, with enough torque to climb a 45° staircase.

For the optics, the TALON V offers a variety of high definition and standard definition camera options in addition to an optional, dual purpose Thermal/Daytime zoom camera.

For the accessories, the TALON V offers a new Heavy Lift, Multiple Degree-of-Freedom Arm Manipulator. It also supports a variety of third party and legacy TALON manipulators.

In military, law enforcement and first responder applications, TALONs are widely deployed for improvised explosive device (IED) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), reconnaissance, communications, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive), HAZMAT, security, heavy lift, defense and rescue missions.

More than 4,000 of QNA's TALONs are deployed globally and used for counter-improvised explosive device (CIED) missions, police operations and domestic and international hazardous material missions. To date, TALONs have participated in approximately 300,000 combat missions and have defeated over 50,000 IEDs. On average, a U.S. military TALON robot in Iraq and Afghanistan is repaired as many as 13 times from significant IED damage.