Role & capabilities
- Remote hazardous-object inspection
- EOD manipulation
- Optional CBRN sensing
- Remote reconnaissance
- Primary domain
- Land
- System type
- Explosive-ordnance disposal robot
- Developer / manufacturer
- QinetiQ US
- Origin / production countries
- United States
- Other names
- Foster-Miller TALON
- Variants / configurations
- TALON IV; TALON V; TALON VI
- Operators / programme customers
- US and international military and emergency-service users described by QinetiQ
Evidence & current status
US design origin is retained despite UK-headquartered group ownership. Numeric rows identify the published older configuration and must not be silently relabelled TALON VI.
TALON is QinetiQ's established family of remotely operated ground robots for explosive-ordnance disposal and hazardous inspection. A tracked chassis, cameras and a manipulator let an operator examine and handle objects while remaining away from the immediate hazard. Sensor kits extend the family into chemical, biological, radiological and other inspection roles.
QinetiQ describes widespread military and emergency-service use and now markets a sixth generation. Its documentation also continues to support earlier TALON IV and V configurations. The latest generation's existence does not imply that every customer's installed fleet has received that upgrade, and older datasheet values should not be applied to TALON VI without confirmation.
The published five-degree-of-freedom datasheet supplies a useful, explicitly identified reference configuration. It distinguishes vehicle payload, towing and manipulator capabilities; these are different limits. This catalogue includes only the general vehicle figures and leaves detailed handling limits to the appropriate certified configuration documentation. The programme's continued production and support arrangements establish a sustained product family, while any autonomy or mapping option remains dependent on the specific installed equipment and software.
Sourced specifications
Figures apply to the named configuration. Maximum values are not guaranteed operating performance.
| Specification | Reported value | Context & source |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Tracked robot with manipulator | Supplier-reported; configuration dependent. Source ↗ |
| Mobility | Not established in the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
| Dimensions | 87 cm base length, 110 cm with arm; 58 cm width; 83 cm height | Published five-degree-of-freedom configuration. Source ↗ |
| Mass | 81 kg with batteries | Five-degree-of-freedom datasheet configuration; not a verified TALON VI figure. Source ↗ |
| Payload | 68 kg maximum payload weight | Vehicle payload rating; not interchangeable with arm lifting capacity. Source ↗ |
| Endurance | 3–4 hours | Mission dependent; published five-degree-of-freedom configuration. Source ↗ |
| Range | Not established in the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
| Speed | Not established in the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
| Terrain / environment | Not established in the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
| Sensors | Not established in the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
| Communications / control | Remote control; controller and radio options vary | Supplier-reported; configuration dependent. Source ↗ |
| Launch / deployment | Not established in the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
Publication history
- — Added sourced land and maritime coverage with domain-specific evidence and limitations.
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Follow the evidence
Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.