Unmanned Systems

Army ground robot program sparks new industry partnerships

• By Nick Wakeman
• Oct 29, 2018

Endeavor Robotics has joined forces with Howe and Howe Technologies to pursue the Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle program.

The contract is currently in phase one. Endeavor will work with Howe to pursue phase two, which is expected to be awarded sometime in late 2019. Endeavor is acting as the prime, while Howe and Howe will bring its Ripsaw vehicle to the partnership.

This contract is considered the largest robotic system program in the history of ground robotics, according to Endeavor CEO Sean Bielat. The Army expects to acquire 7,000 units.

“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 said in a statement.

Howe and Howe is being acquired by Textron.

Endeavor also is currently in a head-to-head competition with QinetiQ North America for the Army’s Common Robotic System, which could be worth $429 million over nine years to build a 25-pound “back-packable” robot. A contract to build 3,000 units is expected to be awarded in early 2019.

Endeavor won a $158 million contract last year to build a 150-pound robot for the Army known as the Man Transportable Robotic System.