From QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group, the Dragon Runner Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Dragon Runner SUGV) fully modular ground robot system is capable of both quick reconnaissance and improvised explosive device (IED) disarmament in urban, mountainous or rural environments. Based on a robot originally designed for the U.S. Marine Corps, the modular base unit Dragon Runner weighs less than 20 pounds and can be carried by one person in a standard-issue pack. With field-transformable features that quickly snap or bolt into place - no special tools required - Dragon Runner SUGV can morph to fit virtually any mission. Dragon Runner SUGV can adapt quickly to fit a variety of critical mission scenarios. These include: reconnaissance inside buildings, sewers, drainpipes, caves and courtyards; perimeter security using on-board motion and sound detectors; checkpoint security; in-vehicle and under-vehicle inspections; and hostage barricade reconnaissance and negotiation. Operators of Dragon Runner SUGV have the ability to add tracks for maximum mobility and a manipulator arm with rotating shoulder, wrist and grippers for dexterity. In addition, day and night pan/tilt/zoom cameras, motion detectors and a listening capability allow Dragon Runner SUGV to further extend the combat team's situational awareness.
