Land Forces
Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements – Robots for the Polish Army – Test Programme Successfully Completed
Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements has received official information from the Armament Inspectorate, confirming the fact that “BALSA” light reconnaissance robot – Engineering Robot 1507 model has successfully completed and passed the official test programme.
The test programme has been one of the stages, within the scope of which an agreement signed by and between the Armament Inspectorate and the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP), pertaining to procurement of engineering robots which would provide support within the scope of EOD and IED missions, and in realization of the tasks related to removal of dangerous loads and materials, is being implemented. The programme is known as BALSA – Light Reconnaissance Robot LRR.
The test programme concerning the robot has been carried out, in an ongoing manner, since late August of 2016, in line with the planned schedule. The results confirm that the initial tactical and technical assumptions have been conformed with. The robot has been tested within the scope of compliance with the aforesaid assumptions, and with the following norms: NO-06-A103:2005, NO-06-A105:2005, NO-06-A107:2005, NO-06-A200:2012, NO-06-A500:2005, PN:EN-60529:2003.
At the further stages of implementation, the Armament Inspectorate is to receive the first example of the robot by the end of this year. Further deliveries of the “Balsa” systems are expected to take place, in line with the agreement, by the end of June, 2017 and 2018.
The procurement contract referring to the BALSA programme has been signed in May this year. The value of the deal is defined as PLN 15.6 million. The system qualified to be tested within the procedure is based on the Fenix robot, designed by the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements.
LRR is dedicated to carry out reconnaissance operations in urbanized and open areas, the robot is going to be utilized by the engineering units, also for checking vehicles, aircraft and rooms, within the scope of potential presence of dangerous objects and materials, with the use of the applied daytime and night-vision cameras. Optional sensors are capable of detecting trace quantities of explosive materials. The manipulator allows the Balsa robot to uncover the hidden IED, UXO and EFP explosives.