Bomb disposal robot seeks jobs abroad

Cutlass vehicle carries tools and sensors to perform operations required for explosives disposal

An unmanned vehicle designed by British engineers for bomb disposal activities in Northern Ireland is to be sold around the world.

The Cutlass vehicle from Northrop Grumman features a manipulator arm with nine degrees of freedom which, used in conjunction with a suite of cameras and other sensors, allows remote handling and surveillance of hazardous threats. It has been in operational service with the British Army since last August, primarily in Northern Ireland for the investigation of suspected improvised explosive devices.

Capability improvements in terms of a higher-specification radio and a more portable operating system have been developed over the past 12 months, and Northrop Grumman now plans to target export markets.

“Cutlass is more dextrous, cost effective and, as a package, four times faster than any other unmanned ground vehicle,” said Greg Roberts, managing director of defence and security at Northrop Grumman Information Systems Europe. “The international version will allow us to build on our heritage of sales in countries like Italy and Saudi Arabia. Explosive ordnance disposal is worth $120 million a year – so this presents us with a significant opportunity.”

Cutlass was designed by engineers at Northrop Grumman’s Coventry facility, where it is also built. It carries all of the tools and sensors it needs to perform operations required for explosives disposal, avoiding the need to deploy two vehicles. 

The vehicle's robotic arm has a three-fingered gripper. Roberts said this was a valuable capability, providing greater movement and agility in limited spaces.