Army to end two robotic programs

The Army told Congress it’s terminating a robotic vehicle and unmanned aircraft program that were once part of the Army’s Future Combat Systems, according to The Hill. It comes as the Pentagon prepares its 2011 budget request, and highlights the need to focus on technologies military planners see as key to supporting soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. The terminated unmanned ground vehicle is the Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment Countermine and Transport, and the UAV is the Fire Scout. The Army said the Shadow UAV can meet the Army needs with some technology improvements. The Navy, however, is still involved in Fire Scout. (Source: The Hill, 01/12/10) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.