Cargo robots might be up for Afghan tour-of-duty extension

Four Lockheed Martin Squad Mission Support System unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) might have their Afghan tour of duty extended for a second time in 2012, reports Paul McLeary at Defense News' The Show Scout blog.

The unit using the company's cargo UGVs has requested an extension until the end of its tour in August, Don Nimblett, senior manager at Lockheed’s combat maneuver systems unit, said in the story.

The military unit using the cargo UGVs, which Nimblett wouldn’t identify, has been using the Squad Mission Support System to resupply smaller combat outposts and to help out on demanding construction projects at its larger forward operating base, the story said.