Cobra adds bite to Canada's C-IED force

The Canadian army is set to receive the first of 20 ECA Cobra Mk 2 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in July 2013, according to ECA's Director of Business Development, R&D and Land Robotic Systems, Patrick Peras.

Speaking to IHS Jane's , Peras said five systems will be delivered in July with a further five to follow at the end of the year. Each complete system consists of two vehicles and one control unit. The contract also provides for an optional 60 further vehicles.

The control unit takes the form of either a 7-10 inch touch screen device with a joystick, and weighs less than 1.7 kg; it utilises radio frequency or digital communications, and can also feature WiFi.

The Cobra Mk 2 is in service with the French army and a number of other customers who Peras was unable to disclose. The French army have been utilising their systems in Afghanistan, where 29 units have been deployed and operate in counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) roles.

Peras said that two vehicles were delivered to Canada for independent testing at a site in Saskatchewan and that the company is awaiting the report from these trials.