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Elbit Systems of America Teamed to Develop an Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot

Posted on: Monday, 23 March 2009, 11:23 CDT

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elbit Systems of America, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) announced it has joined as a team member for the commercialization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project to develop an Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot (EATR). This ambitious project is to develop an autonomous unmanned ground vehicle, or self-driving vehicle, capable of foraging - finding and consuming its own fuel. Elbit Systems of America joins project leader, Robotic Technology Incorporated (RTI) of Potomac, Maryland, and the University of Maryland in the EATR project.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080408/300488 )

The EATR system consists of four main subsystems: (1) an autonomous intelligent control system and sensors; (2) a manipulator system consisting of a robotic arm and end effectors (hands); (3) a hybrid engine system consisting of a biomass combustion chamber, a Stirling (i.e., external combustion) engine and a re-chargeable battery pack; and (4) a mobility platform, which may consist of any type of vehicle, such as a modified High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or specially-designed robotic vehicle. A basic goal of EATR is to develop a robotic ground vehicle that obtains its own fuel. The initial proof-of-concept demonstration, a Phase II SBIR project sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), will focus on the ability of the EATR to recognize biomass sources of energy from non-energy materials, properly manipulate and ingest the biomass materials into the engine system and generate electrical power to operate the various subsystems.

The EATR project is being led by RTI under project managers, Dr. Robert Finkelstein and Dr. Jim Albus. The academic partner is the University of Maryland, who will help perform basic research. Elbit Systems of America will contribute to the development of fuel-recognition algorithms and to the large-scale robotic arm.

Raanan Horowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Elbit Systems of America, stated "We are pleased to be a part of this exceptionally talented team. This endeavor demonstrates collaborative efforts on the part of many to provide forward-thinking initiatives in support of this important complex program."

About Elbit Systems of America, LLC

Elbit Systems of America is a leading provider of high performance products and system solutions focusing on the commercial aviation, defense, homeland security, and medical instrumentation markets. With facilities throughout the United States, Elbit Systems of America is dedicated to supporting those who contribute daily to the safety and security of the United States. Elbit Systems of America, LLC is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT), a global electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

About Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data links and military communications systems and radios. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications.

Trademarks

Elbit Systems of America and other trademarks, service marks and logos are registered or unregistered marks of Elbit Systems of America companies in the United States and in foreign countries. Copyright (c) 2009 Elbit Systems of America. All rights reserved.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively the Company), to the extent such statements do not relate to historical or current fact. Forward Looking Statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: scope and length of customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates or sells, including Israel and the United States among others; differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive, and further information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.'s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Contact: Lynn Peugh, +1-817-234-6696, lynn.peugh@elbitsystems-us.com

SOURCE Elbit Systems of America

Source: PR Newswire

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