L3Harris Technologies has been announced as the successful tenderer for a $30 million contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to provide up to 80 robotic explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) systems to safeguard ADF personnel. L3Harris will begin the delivery of a variety of medium-sized T4 and large-sized T7 robots to commence in late 2023. The robots are a part of the Land-154 program, which aims to enhance EOD unit capabilities in improvised explosive device (IED) neutralization and exploitation as well as route clearance. There have been two agreements that have preceded the current contract with the ADF. The U.K. Ministry of Defence replaced its legacy fleet of robots with 122 T7s for Project STARTER, seeing L3Harris robots deployed in the U.K., Cyprus and Gibraltar. Since June 2021, the U.S. Air Force has ordered more than 100 T7s to support global EOD missions. The ADF is the first to adopt both T7s and the T4s.
“We’re honored the Australian Defence Force has put its trust in us to help safeguard its personnel. The trust in our systems for EOD capabilities is growing around the globe, with units deployed by the U.K., U.S. and now Australia. Following the ADF contract award, we plan to establish a local service center in Australia that will act as a repair hub for all robots within the Asia-Pacific region,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris.
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces C6ISR systems and products, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electronic systems, night vision equipment, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. They specialize in surveillance solutions, microwave weaponry, and electronic warfare. It was formed from the merger of L3 Technologies (formerly L-3 Communications) and Harris Corporation on June 29, 2019, and was expected to be the sixth-largest defense contractor in the United States.
