iRobot Corp. [IRBT] yesterday said Frank Wilson joined the company as senior vice president and general manager of its Defense & Security business unit.
Wilson will focus on strategic business development and product development to ensure iRobot is meeting today’s military, civil defense and security needs.
Tim Trainer, the previous acting interim general manager, will continue on as vice president of programs.
Wilson most recently was sector vice president of business development and mission applications for Electronic Systems at BAE Systems.
“As was said on the second-quarter earnings call, U.S. government funding and program delays continue to negatively impact our expectations for the Defense & Security business unit,” said Jeff Beck, chief operating officer of iRobot. “Frank has a wealth of experience leading a business, driving business development and transforming organizations in both favorable and declining defense budget environments. We look forward to his contributions and leadership as iRobot develops new technologies to address the growing role robots have in special operations and infantry missions.”
In the second quarter, iRobot announced approximately $27 million in new Defense & Security contracts for SUGV and PackBot robots, spares and software upgrades that will be delivered over the remainder of 2012. To date, iRobot has delivered more than 4,500 robots to military and civil defense forces worldwide.