The XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) is a Future Combat Systems specific, man packable (< 30 pounds (14 kg)) version of the iRobot's PackBot.
The XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) is a lightweight, man portable Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) capable of conducting military operations in urban terrain, tunnels, sewers, and caves. The SUGV aids in the performance of manpower-intensive or high-risk functions (i.e. urban Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, chemical/Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIC), Toxic Industrial Materials (TIM), reconnaissance, etc.).
Working to minimize Soldiers' exposure directly to hazards, the SUGV's modular design allows multiple payloads to be integrated in a plug and play fashion. Weighing less than 29 pounds (13 kg), it is capable of carrying up to 6 pounds (2.7 kg) of payload weight.
The XM1216 can either be remotely manned, or manipulated through use of a Microsoft Xbox 360 gamepad fitted with speciality drivers. This allows full control of the unit, otherwise unavailable through a conventional joystick.[citation needed] Alternatively a ruggedized controller known as Small HaWC[1] (HArm's Way Controller), more suited to combat environments may be used in place of the Xbox 360 controller.
The SUGV is part of Spin Out 1 and has entered evaluation at the Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF). It will be fielded to IBCTs starting in 2011.
In February 2012, the Army announced their intention to issue a sole-source contract to iRobot for the XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) Robotic System. The contract is for developing, supporting, and testing hardware and software related to the XM1216.[2]
In August 2015, the U.S. Marine Corps ordered 75 SUGVs.[3]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.
