AeroVironment has expanded into tactical ground robotics with the launch of TOM 50 RE, a backpackable uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) developed by its German subsidiary Telerob. Unveiled at the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition in Paris on June 15, the sub-10-kilogram robot is built to scout buildings, map GPS-denied interiors and neutralize explosive threats while keeping operators out of harm's way.
A robot light enough to carry into the fight
Weighing less than 10 kilograms (22 pounds), TOM 50 RE is compact enough for a single soldier to carry in a backpack and deploy in seconds. A tracked chassis with a stair-climbing flipper system lets it cross rubble, climb stairs and operate inside multi-level structures, delivering up to five hours of endurance while hauling payloads of up to five kilograms. "Today's operators need systems that move with them, adapt to multiple missions, and provide immediate intelligence while reducing risk to human life," said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment's chairman, president and CEO.
SLAM mapping for GPS-denied spaces
The vehicle's standout feature is onboard simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), which builds detailed digital floor plans of interiors, including underground structures and dense urban terrain where satellite navigation fails. Four infrared wide-angle cameras provide 360-degree situational awareness day or night, while an IP-mesh radio architecture doubles as a mobile repeater to extend communications deep inside buildings. Operators can mark points of interest in the live map and export mission data immediately for follow-on planning.
Built for four missions at the tactical edge
Telerob designed TOM 50 RE around four roles: mobile exploration, mission-accompanying reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal and communications support. Modular payloads attach through Telerob's Universal Component Interface, letting EOD teams and special-operations units, including SWAT, swap in disruptors or specialized cameras. The system is controlled through AeroVironment's AV_Halo COMMAND software, the same suite that ties together the company's broader uncrewed portfolio.
The debut deepens AeroVironment's Eurosatory presence alongside its Halo_Shield counter-drone kit, and lands as rival ground-robot makers push their own platforms, including Rheinmetall's Mission Master UGV family. The show has become a proving ground for autonomy, from UGVs to the expanded U.S. Army counter-drone marketplace unveiled the same week.
Reporting based on coverage from AeroVironment and StreetInsider.