Elbit Systems of America Teamed to Develop an Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot
March 23 2009 - 12:23PM
PR Newswire (US)
FORT WORTH, Texas, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elbit Systems
of America, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd.
(NASDAQ:ESLT) announced it has joined as a team member for the
commercialization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
project to develop an Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot
(EATR). This ambitious project is to develop an autonomous unmanned
ground vehicle, or self-driving vehicle, capable of foraging -
finding and consuming its own fuel. Elbit Systems of America joins
project leader, Robotic Technology Incorporated (RTI) of Potomac,
Maryland, and the University of Maryland in the EATR project.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080408/300488 ) The
EATR system consists of four main subsystems: (1) an autonomous
intelligent control system and sensors; (2) a manipulator system
consisting of a robotic arm and end effectors (hands); (3) a hybrid
engine system consisting of a biomass combustion chamber, a
Stirling (i.e., external combustion) engine and a re-chargeable
battery pack; and (4) a mobility platform, which may consist of any
type of vehicle, such as a modified High Mobility Multi-Wheeled
Vehicle (HMMWV) or specially-designed robotic vehicle. A basic goal
of EATR is to develop a robotic ground vehicle that obtains its own
fuel. The initial proof-of-concept demonstration, a Phase II SBIR
project sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency
(DARPA), will focus on the ability of the EATR to recognize biomass
sources of energy from non-energy materials, properly manipulate
and ingest the biomass materials into the engine system and
generate electrical power to operate the various subsystems. The
EATR project is being led by RTI under project managers, Dr. Robert
Finkelstein and Dr. Jim Albus. The academic partner is the
University of Maryland, who will help perform basic research. Elbit
Systems of America will contribute to the development of
fuel-recognition algorithms and to the large-scale robotic arm.
Raanan Horowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Elbit
Systems of America, stated "We are pleased to be a part of this
exceptionally talented team. This endeavor demonstrates
collaborative efforts on the part of many to provide
forward-thinking initiatives in support of this important complex
program." About Elbit Systems of America, LLC Elbit Systems of
America is a leading provider of high performance products and
system solutions focusing on the commercial aviation, defense,
homeland security, and medical instrumentation markets. With
facilities throughout the United States, Elbit Systems of America
is dedicated to supporting those who contribute daily to the safety
and security of the United States. Elbit Systems of America, LLC is
wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT), a global
electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs for
innovative defense and commercial applications. About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company
engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the
world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its
subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval
systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence
surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned air vehicle
(UAV) systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space
systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data
links and military communications systems and radios. The Company
also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and
developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and
commercial aviation applications. Trademarks Elbit Systems of
America and other trademarks, service marks and logos are
registered or unregistered marks of Elbit Systems of America
companies in the United States and in foreign countries. Copyright
(c) 2009 Elbit Systems of America. All rights reserved. Forward
Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking
statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its
subsidiaries (collectively the Company), to the extent such
statements do not relate to historical or current fact. Forward
Looking Statements are based on management's expectations,
estimates, projections and assumptions. Forward-looking statements
are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict.
Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ
materially from these forward-looking statements due to a variety
of factors, including, without limitation: scope and length of
customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes
in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and
economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates
or sells, including Israel and the United States among others;
differences in anticipated and actual program performance,
including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price
contracts; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings.
The factors listed above are not all-inclusive, and further
information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.'s latest annual
report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to
update its forward-looking statements. Contact: Lynn Peugh,
+1-817-234-6696,
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080408/300488DATASOURCE:
Elbit Systems of America CONTACT: Contact: Lynn Peugh,
+1-817-234-6696,
Copyright
Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024