ReconRobotics has been awarded a $4.8 million contract from the US Army Rapid Equipping Force for 315 Recon Scout XT micro-robot kits and an equal number of SearchStick devices.

The SearchStick enables warfighters to convert any Recon Scout Throwbot into a pole camera, which warfighters can use to see over compound walls, onto rooftops and into culverts. ReconRobotics plans to complete deliveries of these microrobot systems by October 31, 2011.

“The era of the personal robot has arrived for US troops and, like the ballistic vest and night vision goggles, our Recon Scout XTs will save many lives,” said Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programmes for ReconRobotics. “We are extremely proud that the US military has chosen ReconRobotics to help protect our warfighters as they conduct dismounted operations in theatre.”

Recon Scout XT micro-robots are deployed at the fire-team level – i.e., one robot for each four- to six-man fire team – to maximise situational awareness and standoff distance during route- and compound-clearing operations. More than 2,000 of the company’s Recon Scout systems have been deployed by the US military and international friendly forces, and by hundreds of law enforcement agencies worldwide. Warfighters use the Recon Scout system to determine the layout of the enclosed spaces, identify potential IEDs and to fix the location of friendly, indigenous or enemy personnel.

Recon Scout XT weighs just 1.2 lbs (540 gram), and yet it can be deployed in five seconds and thrown up to 120 feet (36 metres). Known for its simplicity and durability, the XT can be controlled with a single button and can be recharged in the field using standard 5590 or 2590 batteries.