AEODRS Tactical EOD Robotic Program Approved for Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase

The AEODRS program is developing a new family of interoperable EOD robotic systems. Rear Adm. Thomas Kearney, Director for Acquisition and Commonality at NAVSEA approved the Increment 2 for Milestone B which allows the Tactical Operations variant to proceed to the engineering and manufacturing development phase.

The AEODRS’ interoperable approach is based on a Government-owned common architecture that utilizes common physical, electrical, and logical interfaces. This enables the creation of a family of unmanned ground vehicle systems with a high degree interoperability and interchangeability to enable rapid integration of new technologies across the three AEODRS EOD robots.

The Dismounted Operations system (Increment 1) is the smallest variant and must be light enough to be transported via a backpack. The primary mission focus of this system is on reconnaissance.

The Tactical Operations variant (Increment 2), which received Milestone B approval, is a medium-sized system that must be transportable via an EOD response vehicle and capable of being carried by two technicians over a moderate distance. The primary mission focus of this variant is on in-depth reconnaissance and wide-range item prosecution. The Increment 2 robot will replace the EOD Man Transportable Robotic System that first went into full rate production in 2005. 

The Base/Infrastructure Operations system (Increment 3) is the largest variant and requires transportation via a large response vehicle/trailer. Increment 3’s primary mission includes maximum load/lift capabilities and the widest-range of EOD neutralization, render-safe, and other special capabilities.

“Through the adoption of this modular, open architecture approach across all three Increments we will be better able to integrate emergent technologies and improve overall capability of EOD warfighters,” said Capt. Aaron Peters, Program Manager, NAVSEA Expeditionary Missions Program Office.

The Milestone B Approval comes one month after the program conducted a successful Prime System Integrator Industry Awareness day to exchange AEODRS Increment 2 technical specifications, industry access to system test bed, the draft solicitation and program schedule.

The AEODRS program is managed by PMS408 Expeditionary Missions Program Office as part of the Naval Sea Systems Command's Directorate for Acquisition and Commonality. The directorate brings together personnel dedicated to bridging communication gaps between government and industry, in order to enable cost and variance reductions throughout the acquisition lifecycle. The directorate also provides leadership support to expeditionary missions, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and special warfare communities.