Textron Systems - Experts & Thought Leaders

Howe & Howe, Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. company, has announced that the company will introduce its Thermite® EV1 firefighting robot at this year’s FDIC International event. The company will be located in booth 5162 at the prestigious fire service event, FDIC International 2023, which is scheduled to take place from April 24 to April 29, 2023, in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Thermite® EV1 firefighting robot The latest evolution in Howe & Howe’s trusted family of electric firefighting robots - the Thermite EV1 safely and effectively targets fires with a modular design that can accommodate its multi-position, 700 gallon-per-minute nozzle and additional available attachments. Powered with the latest in high-capacity battery technology, the Thermite EV1 can move farther into high-temperature, oxygen-deprived environments, unlike equipment with traditional, fuel-consuming engines that have oxygen requirements for the drivetrain. This will be the fourth vehicle in the Thermite family, the only firefighting robots built, made, and sold right here in the United States of America (USA). Real-time situational awareness in high-risk Zones Our EV1 is a powerful force multiplier for our heroes in fire response" “Our EV1 is a powerful force multiplier for our heroes in fire response,” said Senior Vice President and Company Co-Founder, Mike Howe, adding “We built our Thermite firefighting robots to extend our first responders’ sight, reach and other senses, delivering them real-time situational awareness in high-risk zones of operation. These vehicles will redefine how we protect and support our emergency responders.” With a lighter weight and smaller footprint than other robots in the Thermite family, the EV1 provides firefighters a standoff range of more than 300 meters and a run time of up to 20 hours. Its industrial-grade, belted rubber tracks are designed to traverse the toughest terrains. Thermite EV2 firefighting robot at FDIC International 2023 Also, on display at the FDIC International 2023 event is the Thermite EV2 firefighting robot, which will be showcased as part of the show’s ‘Fire Rescue Station of the Future’ exhibit. The immersive experience is billed by show organizers as an ‘architect-designed, full-scale fire station replica’. Howe & Howe’s EV2 offers a larger footprint and incorporates day/night and thermal sensors.

L3Harris Technologies battlefield awareness systems will enable faster identification and targeting capabilities, providing increased lethality for American Rheinmetall Vehicles’ Lynx Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV). Using digitally engineered systems provided by L3Harris, the Lynx OMFV can detect and engage battlefield threats faster and at greater distances while reducing crew members needed from three to two. High-Capacity communication systems “L3Harris capabilities on Lynx OMFV provide mission-critical battlefield awareness for U.S. Army soldiers,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris, adding “These systems enable greater lethality by increasing detection and reducing time to engagement.” L3Harris capabilities on Lynx OMFV provide mission-critical battlefield awareness for U.S. Army soldiers" The American Rheinmetall Vehicles (ARV) Lynx OMFV features L3Harris third-generation sights with reduced size, weight, and power requirements, enabling early, enhanced threat identification. Crew members receive information faster as a result of more powerful processors and artificial intelligence capabilities. L3Harris also provides secure, high-capacity communication systems and data links to improve command and control and collaborative targeting. Vehicle lifecycle costs “Lynx OMFV provides warfighters with leading-edge technology to dominate future battlefields,” said Matt Warnick, Managing Director for American Rheinmetall Vehicles, adding “A big part of retaining overmatch is modular open systems approaches and digital engineering, which L3Harris is a partner in providing, a strength of the American Rheinmetall Vehicles team and a benefit to the soldiers.” Digital engineering and modular open systems approach in Lynx OMFV meet U.S. Army Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture requirements – allowing integration of new technologies and subsystems updates faster while lowering vehicle lifecycle costs. The OMFV, the U.S. Army’s first ground combat vehicle designed using modern digital engineering tools and techniques, will replace the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, in service since 1981. L3Harris is an advanced technology partner designing and building Lynx OMFV with ARV, Raytheon Technologies, Textron Systems, Allison Transmissions, and Anduril.

Howe & Howe, Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. company, announces that it will participate in FDIC International 2022 with its Thermite® firefighting robot family and the brand-new SWAT-BOT™, mobile ballistic shield all-terrain robot. The company will be located in booth 5061 at the conference, which will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 25-30. Providing fire suppression Howe & Howe’s Thermite family of firefighting robots, including the RS1, RS3, and all-electric EV2, are designed to mitigate life-threatening situations by providing fire suppression, situational awareness, and intelligence gathering to first responders. Thermite traverses hazardous terrain and pushes obstacles from its path Operated by remote belly-pack and handheld controllers, Thermite traverses hazardous terrain and pushes obstacles from its path. It can endure extreme elements, keeping the user at a safe distance while receiving real-time video feed. The company also will showcase its latest product innovation. “We will unveil our all-electric SWAT-BOT EV1 and EV2,” said Mike Howe, President of Howe & Howe. “This mobile, remotely operated SWAT shield utilizes the same chassis as our Thermite products. Our goal is to provide the most advanced technology, while ensuring the safety of our customers, and to define, create and conquer the ground robotics industry.” Defensive and offensive capabilities In 2012, Howe & Howe created the first SWAT-BOT, a remotely operated robotic ballistic shield engineered for first responders. Developed with the Massachusetts State Police and Southern Maine Special Response Team (SRT), the robot provides effective defensive and offensive capabilities in a variety of tactical scenarios including active shooter, hostage, vehicle immobilization, and breaching/entry. After refining the product’s original design, SWAT-BOT is now an all-electric platform with a near-silent approach for added mission capabilities. SWAT-BOT is designed to protect a team of officers rather than each individual relying on a personal ballistic shield; it provides full body coverage versus torso-only coverage. This also allows team members to engage both hands during their mission without having to carry a shield.