GE Beetle

Last updated
GE Beetle
Type Mobile manipulator
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used by United States Air Force
Production history
Designer General Electric
ManufacturerJered Industries
Unit cost~$1.5 million (~1959)
(~$13.3 million FY2020)
No. built1
Specifications
Mass85 short tons (77.1 t)
Length19 ft (5.79 m)
  • Arms: 16 ft (4.88 m)
Width12 ft (3.66 m)
Height11 ft (3.35 m)
Crew1

The Beetle was the nickname of a large mobile manipulator built by Jered Industries in Detroit for General Electric and ordered by the Air Force Special Weapons Center. It was designed to handle nuclear material for nuclear bombers. [1] [2] [3] Work on the Beetle began in 1959 and it was completed in 1961. It was built on a chassis from a M42 Duster. The Beetle was 19 feet long, 12 feet wide, 11 feet high and weighed 77 tons. The top speed was 8 miles per hour. [3]

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References

  1. "1958-62 - "Beetle" Mobile Manipulator - G.E. Corp. (American)". cyberneticzoo.com. 2014-10-09. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  2. "Beetle Robot by Jered Industries". The Old Robots Web Site. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  3. 1 2 Plunkett, Luke (2016-02-25). "The Real Metal Gear". Kotaku. Retrieved 2025-01-21.