Tech Talk

December 2005

Robot Allows Safe Recon in Hot Areas

Edited by Robert H. Williams

A new robotic vehicle—called Avant Guard—just entered an increasingly crowded market for systems that can conduct surveillance and reconnaissance duties in risky urban battlefields. Built by Elbit Systems Ltd., of Haifa, Israel, it also can be soldier driven.

A sensory perception package for identification and avoidance of fixed and moving obstacles comprises the heart of this vehicle. It can be mission plotted. Ground station operators can alter missions in mid-course.

The robot may be equipped with a variety of packages—electro optical sensors, communication relay gear, jamming devices and weapon systems—depending on the task at hand.