Persistent Systems, LLC and its Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET) modular radios have been selected as the communications links for the QinetiQ North America (QNA) team for the U.S. Army’s Common Robotic System-Individual program of record. These unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are back-packable robots weighing less than 25 lb that can be carried to deployment sites for performing surveillance and detecting threats. The QNA team won the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the robotic systems and has begun integrating Wave Relay embedded radio modules into each new ground robot by means of a low-rate initial production arrangement with Persistent Systems.
Persistent Systems works with other equipment manufacturers as part of its Wave Relay Ecosystem to provide compatible communications network capabilities by means of its modular radio systems at L-, S-, and C-band frequencies. QNA was one of the first members of the Wave Relay Ecosystem, which also includes robotic innovators such as Endeavor Robotics and its FirstLook, PackBot, and Kobra ground robots. “We’re excited to, once again, deliver the Wave Relay MANET to the U.S. Army and help lead the drive towards networking the battlefield,” said Leslie Hulser, director of programs for Persistent. “We are also very proud of our partnership with QinetiQ and congratulate them on this award.”