AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has unveiled the TOM 50 RE, a compact uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) designed for reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and tactical support missions. The system was introduced at Eurosatory 2026, the international defense and security exhibition being held in Paris.
Developed by AeroVironment’s wholly owned subsidiary Telerob, the TOM 50 RE is designed to provide dismounted forces, EOD teams, special operations units, and SWAT personnel with a portable robotic platform that can be rapidly deployed in challenging environments. Weighing less than 10 kilograms, the system is compact enough to be carried in a backpack and operated by a single user.
According to the company, the UGV is intended for missions involving mobile exploration, route reconnaissance, explosive threat disposal, and operational support. Its tracked design, combined with a stair-climbing flipper system and dedicated mobility attachments, enables it to navigate obstacles, uneven terrain, stairways, and confined indoor environments. The platform offers up to five hours of operational endurance and can carry payloads weighing up to five kilograms.
A key feature of the TOM 50 RE is its onboard simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) capability, which allows the vehicle to autonomously generate digital maps of interior spaces. The system is designed to operate in GPS-denied environments, including underground facilities, multi-level structures, and dense urban settings. Operators can identify and record points of interest within the generated maps and export mission data immediately after an operation, supporting intelligence gathering and mission planning.
The vehicle is equipped with four integrated high-resolution wide-angle cameras with infrared capability, providing continuous 360-degree situational awareness in daylight, darkness, and degraded visual conditions. AeroVironment said the system’s advanced IP-mesh radio architecture delivers secure communications and enables the platform to function as a mobile repeater, extending connectivity for personnel operating deep inside buildings or other complex environments.
The TOM 50 RE also features a modular architecture that allows operators to integrate mission-specific payloads through the Mission Module Interface (MMI) or an adapter compatible with Telerob’s Universal Component Interface (UCI). This flexibility enables the integration of equipment such as advanced camera systems and disruptors to meet evolving operational requirements.
“The introduction of TOM 50 RE reflects AV’s commitment to delivering robotic systems that directly address the realities of modern ground combat and explosive threat environments,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AeroVironment. He added that the platform was designed to provide operators with immediate intelligence while reducing risk to personnel.
Florian Gruener, Managing Director of Telerob and Product Line General Manager for Uncrewed Ground Vehicles, said the system was developed to provide robotic capability at the point of need, enabling forces to rapidly gain situational awareness, mitigate threats, and make informed decisions in complex terrain.
The platform can be operated through AV_Halo Command using the Tomahawk Grip family of systems or the Robo Command Control System, allowing operators to manage the TOM 50 RE alongside other uncrewed platforms during missions. The launch further expands AeroVironment’s portfolio of autonomous systems as demand grows for compact robotic technologies capable of supporting modern military and security operations.
