AUVSI: Remotec introduces Titus

Northrop Grumman subsidiary Remotec unveiled a new member of its Andros family of UGVs at Unmanned  Systems North America on 16 August.

Speaking at the event the company president, Mike Knopp said that the new vehicle, Titus, satisfied the demand for a UGV that was lighter, faster, stronger and more intelligent. At 120 lbs the UGV is smaller than the company's existing Andros vehicles, but offers more capability.

'It's important that product be able to fit in to a tight space,' Knopp stated. 'It's significantly different from what you've seen from Remotec in the past.' The Titus is 27 in long and 16 in wide.

The company designed Titus so that it can complete a variety of missions. Attention was put in to ensuring the UGV, which can be fitted with both wheels and tracks, could traverse tough terrain such as mud and sand. The wheel and track design includes a self-bailing system to assist with particularly tough conditions.

The vehicle, with a base speed of 7.5 mph, is also significantly faster than the other UGVs in the Andros family. 'First responders need to get down range fast,' Knopp explained. In the wheeled configuration the vehicle is actually capable of speeds of up to 15 mph.

To enable better control of the vehicle the engineering team has developed a software assisted drive control system. The system includes 'terrafillic behaviours' that allow the vehicle to make adjustments to the terrain its traversing.

The vehicle can be controlled at a range of up to 500m non-line of sight utilising the PC-based, software operated OCU.

'At the heart of Titus is its intelligence and electronics,' Knopp stated. Titus' electronics are open architecture allowing the UGV to incorporate a variety of payloads on a plug and play basis.

The company says its is aiming to be able to begin deliveries of Titus in the third quarter of 2012 with an expected unit price in the region of $115-130,000.