American defense firm AeroVironment (AV) has introduced the TOM 50 RE, a lightweight, backpackable uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) designed for rapid deployment in complex and contested environments.

Developed by its subsidiary Telerob, the system was unveiled at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. Weighing under 10 kilograms (22 pounds), the TOM 50 RE has a compact form factor, making it easy to be carried and operated by a single soldier or team member.

The robot features a stair-climbing flipper system and optional attachments, allowing it to navigate stairs, uneven terrain, and confined indoor spaces. This makes it ideal for bomb disposal operations in high-risk environments.

AV’s bomb disposal robot

AV’s rolling robot offers up to five hours of endurance and can carry payloads of up to five kilograms. The vehicle was designed to address key requirements of ground forces, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, special operations units, and SWAT operators.

It supports four primary roles: mobile exploration for initial situational awareness in unknown areas; mission-accompanying reconnaissance with autonomous mapping; defusing operations using modular disruptors or drop-charge payloads; and operational support as a communications relay or additional sensor platform.

A core feature is its simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) capability. SLAM allows the TOM 50 RE to generate detailed digital maps of multi-level buildings and GPS-denied environments. This includes underground structures and dense urban terrain. Operators can mark points of interest on these maps and export data for immediate intelligence use and mission planning.

For situational awareness, the system includes four high-resolution wide-angle cameras with infrared capability, providing 360-degree coverage in day, night, and low-visibility conditions. Its IP-mesh radio architecture ensures secure, resilient communications and allows the UGV to act as a mobile repeater. This allows it to extend network connectivity for teams operating deep inside structures.

Addressing the ‘realities of modern ground combat’

The vehicle’s modular design features a Mission Module Interface that supports integration of specialized payloads, including advanced cameras and EOD tools. It is controlled via AV’s Halo command software on Tomahawk Grip systems or the Robo Command Control System, enabling coordination with other uncrewed assets.

“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,” Wahid Nawabi, AV’s chairman, president, and CEO, explained in a press statement. “Today’s operators need systems that move with them, adapt to multiple missions, and provide immediate intelligence while reducing risk to human life.”

Florian Gruener, Managing Director of Telerob, meanwhile, added that the system delivers robotic capability at the point of need, allowing forces to gain awareness, mitigate threats, and decide faster while protecting personnel.

The TOM 50 RE expands AV’s portfolio of ground robotic systems for defense, security, and public safety applications. It builds on the company’s broader work in integrated autonomous capabilities across multiple domains.

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