Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
http://www.tekmilitaryseating.co.uk/
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11 Apr 24. USMC plans to buy high-power ULTV variant. The Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV) programme – a US Marine Corps (USMC) replacement for the ageing Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) – will now include a variant with more exportable power, according to Janes analysis of budget documents. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget request is the first time the ULTV-High Power (ULTV-HP) has funding for procurement, adding up to roughly USD5.99 million for 40 vehicles in that year. USMC justification documents indicate that it “provides exportable electrical power generation in support of the requirements for [the] kill web integrating system”. (Source: Janes)
10 Apr 24. Babcock invests in the future of military driver training.
Babcock has announced it is to invest in a research and development project to support the future of military driver training.
Military drivers need to be prepared for a wide range of situations, which can be difficult to replicate, for example, how to respond to a tyre blow out, varying terrains, driving at night or in foreign countries with unknown road signs.
Babcock has signed an agreement with VRAI, Novatech and Bohemia to investigate how technology can be used to create training environments at scale which are focussed on the user experience, insight intensive and can be used to train quickly, effectively and reach competence at accelerated rates.
Working with SMEs, academia and industry innovation partners, Babcock will explore how simulation and innovative modelling technologies can provide an alternative to traditional training methods, while helping to reduce environmental impact, costs and deliver training where it is needed.
Jo Rayson, Managing Director of Babcock’s training business, said: “There can be many challenges delivering military driver training, including how individuals maintain their skills once qualified, the availability of training platforms, or difficult to replicate operational environments. Babcock is investing in this project to investigate simulation as a realistic way of delivering this essential training capability, driving down costs and reducing the impact traditional training has on the environment.
“We are not tied to any one solution or approach. We are focused on finding the right answers, using the right technology and harnessing it for greatest impact at the lowest cost.”
Niall Campion, Managing Director for Product & Customers at VRAI, said: “At VRAI, we believe that data is the untapped resource in simulation training and have developed HEAT to turn this resource into actionable insights. We are delighted to be able to work with Babcock to bring this pioneering technology to driver training. By capturing structured training data, the project team will not only be able to assess individual trainee performance, but also that of the simulator in general, providing objective, actionable insights when considering the potential future impact of the research.”
10 Apr 24. The Commonwealth of Australia has today signed the production contract for 123 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles with more than 100 of those vehicles to be exported from Australia for use by the German Army; making it Australia’s largest foreign military export to Germany.
The procurement of the Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles is based on a mutual agreement between the Australian and the German Government. Rheinmetall has announced the contract with the German authorities with a total volume of €2.7bn, including maintenance and repair, after the commissioning in March 2024. The corresponding production contract has now been awarded in Australia.
Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, confirmed that the order is Australia’s largest foreign military export to Germany. “Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2025 with the first Australian-built vehicle to be delivered in 2026,” Poyner added.
The Heavy Weapon Carrier, or “Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie” vehicle is based on the Australian Army’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV).
The Boxer vehicle is an advanced, armoured 8×8 vehicle in service with armies around the globe. It offers enhanced troop safety, security and protection, coupled with high levels of firepower and mobility for sustained operations ranging from peacekeeping to high-intensity combat. The CRV is equipped with a reconnaissance mission module including the two-person digital Lance turret; the first crewed medium-calibre turret to be put into service on the Boxer platform.
The German Boxers are to be produced at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence at Redbank in South East Queensland, where more than 650 skilled Rheinmetall workers produce vehicles, armour and electronics for Australia and global partners.
The contract supports Rheinmetall’s vision to build and grow Australia’s defence industry capability to create local net value and integrate Australian companies into Rheinmetall’s global supply chain.
Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG: “We appreciate to have been selected to supply the Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles
for an essential element of the German Army’s new force category, the ‘medium forces’.
“We are integrating the expertise and capabilities of our Australian MILVEHCOE colleagues from our global Rheinmetall network to provide the German Army with the required combat vehicles as quickly as possible. This further deepens defence ties between Australia and Germany and enhances a sustained sovereign defence capability in Australia.
“We welcome the close partnership between Australia and Germany in strategic defence activities as the two nations work together to increase global security. The German Boxer program from Australia has been made possible by Rheinmetall’s long-term Australian investment in product development and advanced manufacturing,” said Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall CEO.
In addition to the 211 Boxer vehicles ordered under Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 project – 133 of which are the CRV variant with the crewed digital Lance turret – the company also services the Australian Army’s HX truck fleet, which comprises more than 2,900 vehicles, provides the MASS Multi-Ammunition Soft-Kill System to the Royal Australian Navy, manages training systems for Defence and has delivered more than 200 HX Trucks to the New Zealand Defence Force.
10 Apr 24. Defenture GRF vehicle chosen for Austrian Special Operations Forces. On 8 April, Austria’s Ministry of Defence signed the contract with Defenture for the delivery of a batch of GRF (Ground force) vehicles. With this order, the Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung (BMLV) chooses a special Military Of The Shelf (MOTS) light tactical and air transportable mobile platform for their Special Operations Forces (Jagdkommando) to replace the PUCH G 290/LP Sandviper.
Austria opts for high-level mobility and security
The GRF is recognized as a high-performance platform in terms of agility, speed, traction and payload. Together with high ground clearance for extreme off-road capabilities and a special 4-wheel steering system, this results in a high level of mobility and safety. The flexibility of the GRF platform allows the vehicles to be provided with a specific configuration and different system integrations, tailored to the operational needs of the Austrian Jagdkommando. Delivery of the vehicles will start as early as2024.
Defenture and Achleitner join forces
Defenture and Achleitner entered a strategic partnership for the supply and service support of the light tactical and air transportable GRF. As partner, Achleitner will execute lifetime maintenance and service support on behalf of and in cooperation with Defenture. The forces of Defenture and Achleitner are also combined in view of system integration and further configuration development. Both Defenture and Achleitner are proud partners and look forward to a long-term partnership with both the Austrian Ministry of Defence and the Jagdkommando.
Henk van der Scheer, CEO Defenture: “We are proud to announce that we are partnering with the Austrian Ministry of Defence and their Special Operations Forces to implement the highest level of military mobility and security. This once again recognizes GRF as the reference in the light tactical vehicle segment. The strategic partnership with Achleitner is thereby a great example of how we cooperate with international partners to create a win-win situation for all parties.”
Go safe. Move safe. Home safe.
Defenture’s vehicles are built from scratch so that special forces can safely perform missions and return safely. The vehicles meet all military requirements and are characterized as Military Of The Shelf (MOTS) mobility platforms. Defenture places high demands on mobility, safety, payload capacity, modular design and focuses on the lowest possible lifecycle costs. The design and manufacturing process involves close cooperation with local partners to ensure a win-win outcome for all parties involved. Besides supplying mobility platforms, Defenture is also a partner for system integration, service and maintenance, driver training and education.
As a Netherlands-based Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of light tactical and air transportable vehicles, in a range up to approximately ten tonnes, Defenture is already mobility partner of Ministries of Defence, including in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
About Defenture
Defenture BV is a supplier of military mobility solutions, developing and manufacturing light tactical and air transportable vehicles, in a range up to approximately10 tonnes, for special and air assault forces. Defenture is also partner in service and maintenance, system integration, driving training and education.
Defenture focuses on innovation, design, mobility, and safety and develops corresponding product solutions. The company works closely with the best strategic partners and interactively communicates and coordinates with
military customers. Defenture’s GRF, Mammoth and Scorpion vehicles provide safety and mobility at the highest level for units carrying out demanding missions around the world under challenging conditions. This makes the Defenture GRF, Mammoth and Scorpion vehicles mission-winning tools. The ‘Defenture Modular Design Principle’ is characterized by innovative design, strong and lightweight construction and, combined with excellent terrain and driving characteristics, ensure unbeatable mobility. Founded in 2013, the company employs a diverse group of professionals with a background in or knowledge of the automotive, manufacturing and defence industries.
08 Apr 24. Germany begins ordering new Boxer variants. The Bundeswehr is procuring its first specialised versions of the Boxer, placing orders with Rheinmetall for Skyranger 30 air-defence systems mounted on Boxers in February and heavy weapon carriers (HWCs) in March. It ordered 123 Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie (sWaTrg Inf) HWC infantry vehicles from Rheinmetall on 21 March, the German company announced in a press release the same day. On 20 March the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, approved the EUR1.95bn (USD2.1bn) procurement, plus a EUR746.9m service and maintenance contract, with deliveries planned for 2025–30. The sWaTrg Inf will replace the Bundeswehr’s Wiesel 1 tracked tactical direct fire support weapon carrier and equip the German Army’s new medium forces, which will be rapidly deployable over long distances. (Source: Janes)
10 Apr 24. Alcon delivers a bespoke braking system to Tekne for their Graelion specialist off-road vehicle. Alcon Components Ltd, the highly acclaimed UK-based brake and clutch company, has been selected by the Italian specialist vehicle company, Tekne, to deliver a bespoke braking solution for their Graelion off-road multi-purpose vehicle. To meet Tekne’s demanding requirements, Alcon have selected a caliper from their CIR15 family, for use on all corners. The CIR15 caliper has been proven on serious off-road use cases in numerous applications, across a multitude of sectors.
Alcon’s relationship with Tekne reaches back to 2020 when they supplied off-the-shelf brake kits for Toyota Land Cruisers. Since then, the first Graelion protype system was delivered in 2022 and Alcon are now in production, having delivered over 30 vehicles sets, to date. Compared to volume single sided calipers, the CIR15 opposed piston caliper supplied to Tekne is more suited for harsh environments. It does not have slide mechanism, such as slide pins that can seize or wear with use in muddy conditions. The piston sealing system is the same as Alcon have used in many off-road race applications, dating back to their first WRC calipers 40 years ago. Alcon’s CIR family of brakes also have decades of proven capability on defence applications. Alcon chose SG cast iron rather than aluminium, to increase stiffness at the pressures and loads seen on a 7500kg vehicle and to reduce electrolytic corrosion from wading and being exposed to widespread off-road conditions.
The Tekne Graelion vehicle delivers exceptional levels of mobility due to its high ground clearance design that fulfils a multitude of roles across the specialist vehicle sectors, including emergency service vehicles (fire, rescue, ambulance), utility functions (such as snowploughs), tourism (safari minibuses), mining and construction, and defence. The vehicle design can be configured for various wheelbases (from 3000mm to 4250mm) and it can wade a depth up to 1100mm.
Carlo Ulacco, Design Authority for Vehicle Business Unit and Board Member at Tekne said: “Our Graelion vehicle was specifically designed to be a versatile and compact. Therefore, the choice of brake calipers, like every other component, needed to reflect this dual nature and deliver the required levels of performance and safety across the range of operation. Alcon’s CIR15 calipers proved to be the perfect fit and we’ve been very pleased with the services that Alcon have provided to support our development programme.”
Jonathan Edwards, Group Sales Director at Alcon said: “being selected by Tekne to deliver a braking solution for their Graelion vehicle is great news for Alcon and underlines our capabilities in the area of specialist vehicle braking systems, for use in demanding roles. To meet the wide variety of future roles and applications, The Graelion is designed to operate in more extreme and harsh environments and our system can deal with that, improving performance and safety and reducing through life costs”. He added “Alcon has become the place to come to for OEMs and vehicle modification companies working in more specialist areas. We understand what’s needed and we have a proven track record in delivering bespoke and off-the-shelf braking solutions for vehicles ranging from giant 60 tonne tracked vehicles to lighter weight motorsport vehicles and everything else in between”.
09 Apr 24. HMG Paints, a leading manufacturer of paints and coatings, announced its participation in the upcoming DVD Show, scheduled for September 18th – 19th 2024, at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire.
As one of the premier events in the defence industry, the DVD Show provides a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions. HMG Paints will be prominently featured at stand C3-819, where the company’s team of experts will be available to offer insights into their extensive range of paints and coatings, including CARC and IRR coatings.
Attendees can expect to receive personalized technical advice tailored to their specific requirements, as well as gain valuable insights into the latest trends and advancements in the field of coatings technology.
“We are excited to participate in the DVD Show ponce again and to engage with industry professionals to discuss their upcoming projects and our latest innovations in paints and coatings,” said Alan Sharples, Defence Sales Manager at HMG Paints. “Our team looks forward to sharing our expertise and assisting attendees in finding solutions to their unique paint and coating challenges.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with HMG Paints at stand C3-819 during the DVD Show 2024 and discover how their products and services can benefit your projects. To book in a meeting in advance at the show you can email the team at .
Made in Britain
As a British based manufacturer HMG can provide fast delivery across its entire range, something which the company believes can benefit businesses who use JOSCAR and other OEMs and refinishers.
One of the many products the team is sure to be discussing is their new 2 pack Polyurethane primer system which surpasses the requirements of Def Stan 80 – 225 for land based military equipment. The DEF2301001 Light Grey Polyurethane Primer boasts an impressive capability to endure over 2,000 hours in BS EN ISO 9227 salt spray conditions, making it a standout performer in demanding, high-stress environments.
HMG’s product range is suitable for equipment such as containers, trailers, vehicles, bridges and armour. HMG are renowned for their innovative approach to coatings including corrosion resistant primers, functional topcoats approved to UK defence standards and if you can’t find the perfect product in their existing portfolio the company is also able to offer bespoke formulation development to solve those tricky paints and coatings problems.
HMG is also JOSCAR certified which means Primes can speed up their access to HMG’s defence portfolio, and all products are also Made in Britain certified. The HMG Defence range offers products which are free from Chrome VI, meet low VOC requirements, IRR and CARC paints and includes military standards such as 80-225. Alongside Defence Standard products, HMG produce a wide range of approved high-quality coatings for practically every purpose for the defence industry. You can find out more about HMG’s range of Def Stan products and bespoke coatings development service at www.hmgpaint.com/products/landing/Defence.
08 Apr 24. Battelle Delivers Up-Armored Ford Expeditions to U.S. Department of State. Battelle has delivered four upgraded Ford Expeditions to the United States Department of State (DoS) for testing, evaluation, and certification.
Battelle’s Logistics, Operations & Ground Systems business line, in collaboration with Ford Motor Company, has been working for two years on the contract to design and produce a Large Sport Utility Vehicle (LSUV) for DoS, on behalf of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Battelle upgraded the Expeditions with armor and technology to meet specific protection mission requirements while leaving the original showroom appearance.
Battelle is also producing 229 up-armored Toyota Land Cruiser 200s for DoS that will be delivered within the next 15 months. Following certification, Battelle’s version of the Ford Expedition will be available as a cost-effective alternative to other vehicles of similar size and performance capabilities.
The armored Ford Expedition designs are Battelle’s first Up-Armored domestic vehicle. “We are really proud of these vehicles,” said Battelle Ground Systems Senior Program Manager Jim LaBine. “We look forward to the feedback and to offering these affordable alternatives to other organizations and government agencies seeking armored vehicles manufactured in the United States.”
Battelle has been a partner to the U.S. government in armoring vehicles for more than 80 years, starting with a contract awarded in 1939 to improve armor plating for the U.S. Army. Battelle has continued to grow its specialty automotive integration capabilities at facilities on the west side of Columbus, Ohio, building hundreds of armored vehicles for Department of Defense and other government customers during the last decade. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Apr 24. BAE Systems receives $79m contract from U.S. Marine Corps to build and deliver ACV-R test vehicles. BAE Systems (LON: BA) has received an $79m contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to build and deliver production representative test vehicles (PRTVs) for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle Recovery (ACV-R) variant later this year. The ACV-R will provide direct field support, maintenance, and recovery to the ACV family of vehicles (FOVs).
“One of the most challenging things that can happen on the battlefield is for a vehicle to breakdown or need to be recovered,” said Garrett Lacaillade, vice president of amphibious programs at BAE Systems. “The ACV-R is a modern, highly capable recovery and mobile repair unit that provides critical expeditionary support to immobilized ACVs in the field and provides maintenance support capabilities without risking our Marines’ safety.”
This contract award begins the second phase of the ACV-R program and kicks off the production of PRTVs which will support government testing next year. The prior contract award focused on the design and development of the recovery variant and was completed within the contracted 20-month period. ACV-R is equipped with a winch and crane and is capable of recovering vehicles weighing more than 30 tons.
BAE Systems and our strategic partner Iveco Defence Vehicles is currently in full-rate production with the ACV Personnel (ACV-P) variant and ACV Command and Control (ACV-C) variant, and recently delivered the first three ACV 30mm cannon (ACV-30) variant PRTVs to the Marine Corps for testing on January 31.
The company continues to enhance future technology integration in ACV to increase Marine readiness and work collaboratively with the Marine Corps to ensure that all ACV mission variants are ready for future deployments.
ACV-R production and support is taking place at BAE Systems locations in Stafford, Virginia.; San Jose, California; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; and, York, Pennsylvania. (Source: PR Newswire)
29 Mar 24. The French DGA (General Directorate of Armaments) has delivered the first four regenerated VBL light armoured vehicles of 2024. The General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) delivered, on 26 February 2024, the first four regenerated light armoured vehicles [Véhicules Blindés Légers Régénérés – VBL-R] out of the 102 expected in 2024. These four examples were delivered to the Army, which has already received 247 VBL-R brought to the ULTIMA standard since 2020.
This regeneration is carried out by the industrial company ARQUUS on its Saint-Nazaire site (Loire-Atlantique) and will continue until the end of 2028. Entered into service with the Army in 1990, the Véhicule Blindés Léger – VBL-R is a light vehicle for armoured cavalry platoons (AMX10RC then Jaguar). It also allows carrying out of tactical or in-depth intelligence missions. The VBL quickly demonstrated its capabilities in the field, particularly during discreet reconnaissance and infiltration military missions. This VBL regeneration operation will allow its continued service in the Army until 2035.
The ULTIMA standard significantly improves the operational performance of the LAV with a new engine which develops power increased by 50%. Driving is more safe than the previous version with the installation of ABS, power steering and a reinforcement of the suspension. Equipped with air conditioning, the VBL is predisposed to accommodate an extra protection kit, thus strengthening the resilience of the crew in operation. Electricity production is also upgraded with the installation of an alternator making it possible to meet the energy consumption of multiple recently integrated electronics equipment systems. Finally, the crew benefits from an increased payload of 300 kg.
The VBL-R will eventually be replaced by the Armoured Engagement Support Vehicle (Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement – VBAE), programme carried out in cooperation with Belgium and whose pre-design contract has was notified by OCCAr (Joint Organisation for Armaments Cooperation) to Arquus, KNDS and John Cockerill Defense in December 2023. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
08 Apr 24. Rheinmetall to supply Japan with its first fleet of autonomous vehicles. Rheinmetall paves the way for autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in Japan after being awarded a multimillion-dollar contract on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Defence. The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP UGVs are expected to be delivered early next year for testing. These compact, low-signature electric UGVs will each be equipped with different payload modules, including cargo, surveillance and a remote-controlled weapon station. The contract also includes a long-term support and training program, as well as spare parts. Rheinmetall will deliver the UGVs in collaboration with the prime contractor Marubeni Aerospace, a major Japanese business conglomerate that will be trained by Rheinmetall to offer local support to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Rheinmetall Mission Master SP
The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP is a fully electric, compact UGV that is designed to autonomously carry out missions such as forward and last mile resupply missions, silent watch operations, and carriages of light payloads, including section sensors and weapon systems. The vehicle can be towed or deployed by parachute to carry out missions in hard-to-reach terrain, and fitted with tracks to enhance mobility in deep snow and mud—an ideal feature for countries with extreme climates like Japan.
The Mission Master SP was the first UGV to be developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2017 and has since been deployed during multiple live military exercises by land forces, including the German, USA, Royal Dutch, and Polish armies. Various NATO partners, such as the UK and the USA have also acquired this UGV.
Autonomous solutions for the modern battlefield
Like other platforms in the Rheinmetall Mission Master family, the SP vehicle is driven by Rheinmetall PATH: an AI-powered navigation system that can be installed on any vehicle. This agnostic suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms enables the Mission Master vehicles to navigate autonomously through challenging environments.
“As international tensions continue to rise, more and more countries are seeking autonomous solutions to maintain a competitive advantage and prepare for the modern battlefield. Our Mission Master vehicles equipped with our PATH A-kit have performed well in numerous international trials in recent years. These experiences have allowed us to refine our technology and become an internationally renowned centre of excellence for UGVs” recounts Pietro Mazzei, President and CEO at Rheinmetall Canada.
03 Apr 24. Iraq announces start of VN22 armoured vehicle production. Iraq’s state-owned defence industry has said it has begun producing Norinco VN22 6×6 armoured vehicles. The Defence Industry Commission of Iraq (DICI) posted a video on its Facebook page on 1 April in which engineer Mustafa Ati Hassan, the president of the Military Industrialization Authority, stood next to a VN22 to announce the start of production of a 6×6 vehicle he did not name at the Al-Rabie factory, which is in southeast Baghdad. He provided no further details of the programme, with the video showing a production line for 4×4 light armoured vehicles, not the VN22. Norinco unveiled the VN22 in 2021, with an Arabic-language brochure released the following year saying it has a combat weight of 25 tonnes when fitted with a remotely operated 30 mm weapon station, which leaves space for eight dismounts in addition to three crew members. The brochure says the vehicle has Level 14 ballistic protection (up to 14.5 mm rounds under the VPAM standard) and Level 4A and 4B landmine protection. (Source: Janes)
03 Apr 24. £10m investment in snowmobiles for Royal Marines. Royal Marines will strike faster and further across the Arctic snow thanks to a £10m investment in new snowmobiles for reconnaissance and raiding operations. The UK Commando Force is the nation’s specialist extreme cold weather troops, capable of surviving, moving, and fighting across the Arctic’s inhospitable terrain. Royal Marines have traditionally moved across the snow on skis, snowshoes or towed by their armoured vehicles (known as skijoring) to get into combat.
But the Commando Force’s battlefield tactics have rapidly evolved, with smaller teams deployed across a wide area on reconnaissance, raiding and strike missions to disrupt the adversary behind enemy lines, allowing freedom of action for the UK’s F-35 stealth jets operating from a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.
That means there is a growing need to move more quickly over longer distances and across very difficult terrain.
With that, there is fresh investment with the purchase of up to 159 Lynx Brutal Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles made by Finnish subsidiary of Canadian firm Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).
The snowmobiles will be supplied by BRP from March 2025 onwards.
The Lynx Brutal is custom built to operate in deep snow and is ideally suited for taking Commandos and their equipment deep behind the adversary’s lines and help give them the tactical advantage as they deliver special operations in the High North.
Captain Nick Unwin RN, Commando Force Programme Director, said: “This is the next step in the transformational change taking place across the Commando Force in terms of what they do and how they do it. The Lynx Brutal is a well-proven vehicle operated by many partners and allies, and will play a key part in the Commando’s ability to operate in areas and in ways that are beyond the capabilities of conventional forces in the High North.”
Steve Hayward, Team Leader for the Specialist & Autonomous Mobility (SAM) team at Defence, Equipment and Support (DE&S), added: “It has been a pleasure to award a contract for supply and through-life support of BRP Over-Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles.
“This contract follows an intense period of Assessment Phase trialling underpinned by some outstanding collaboration between DE&S, Navy, UKSC and Industry.
“The commercial milestone marks an important step towards DE&S delivering and supporting new equipment that will enable the Commando Force to operate effectively in extreme cold weather environments, including the High North. We look forward to moving into the Demonstration and Manufacture phases at pace.”
While the Commandos already have snowmobiles this investment reflects the change in tactics and the need to maintain an operational advantage.
The snowmobiles will deploy as part of Littoral Response Group (North), a Royal Navy amphibious task force with Commandos at its heart, designed to react to world events in Northern Europe’s waterways, including the complex Norwegian coastlines, the High North and the Arctic.
Royal Marines have just completed major military drills in the Arctic alongside NATO allies.
They attacked vital adversary infrastructure and carried out covert reconnaissance missions as they paved the way for large-scale NATO forces to move into the Nordic regions.
The commandos, led by strike teams of Royal Marines of Arbroath-based 45 Commando, tracked down adversary technology used to deny access to airspace and airwaves, creating favourable conditions for heavier armour to enter the region.
Their operations enabled HMS Prince of Wales and the UK Carrier Strike Group, including F-35B Lightning jets, to strike the adversary’s targets deep inland.
These missions were during Exercise Nordic Response as part of Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest military drills in Europe in a generation, which test allies’ ability to reinforce the continent’s frontiers from North America and across the Atlantic in the face of an aggressor.
Nordic Response focused on amphibious landings on Norway’s complex northern coastline, bringing troops across the Arctic and into NATO’s newest members Sweden and Finland.
The arrival of the new snowmobiles next year goes hand in hand with new amphibious vehicles. Sixty of the Future All-Terrain Vehicles replace the fleet of older Bv 206s and Viking vehicles as part of an £140m international agreement.
The new All-Terrain Vehicles, complete with amphibious swimming capability and better lift capacity, will be in service until 2058.
(Source: UKDJ)
04 Apr 24. Mac Jee, a Brazilian leader in the defense industry, was a confirmed presence at the LAAD 2024 fair, the largest exhibition of defense and technology products and services in Latin America. The company took to the event the new version of the Armadillo, a police tactical force vehicle for urban disturbances that aims to protect convoys and clear paths. The police Armadillo has extreme versatility and attracts attention with its cutting-edge design and capabilities. Designed and developed for extreme operating conditions, the Mac Jee vehicle can reach speeds of up to 113km/h, weighs almost three tons and can carry two crew members inside the cabin. It has armor, external and thermal cameras, a smoke grenade launcher and fairing absorber. It has an integrated retractable machine gun with 7.62mm ammunition with quick reloading and efficient aiming, as well as other integrated systems such as: communication, location and firing system connected with the command center and interaction with the local police tactical system. (Source: Defense Arabia)
05 Apr 24. US DoD expands ACV contract to provide for additional line items. Once worth a cumulative value of $2.5bn, this figure has increased to $2.8bn to account for additional subcontract items for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.
With the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) entering production and delivery phases, the US Department of Defense (DoD) will increase the cumulative value of the framework to account for additional line items from subcontracted suppliers.
The DoD originally ordered the platform in June 2018. Since then additional units and new variants entered the framework until the value of the contract came to be worth $2.5bn. Now, however, the US Government has increased the cumulative value of the programme to $2.8bn on 4 April 2024.
Ultimately, the US plans to procure 4,350 ACVs from the original equipment manufacturer, BAE Systems, between 2018 and 2040.
According to the DoD, this latest modification provides for “additional subcontract line-item numbers for the procurement of three production representative test vehicles for the ACV Recovery variant and test support.”
In DoD parlance, this means that the contract is being broken down by the commodities being procured. This ensures transparency, allowing people to identify the supplies and services to be acquired as separately identified line items.
ACV features
The ACV CV is based on an 8×8 wheeled amphibious platform developed by Iveco Defence Vehicles. The armoured hull of the vehicle has been developed using mine-resistant floor materials.
It can be launched and recovered from the sea using a ship. The vehicle is designed to accommodate three crew members and 13 dismounted troops; it offers enough space to carry supplies required for the incumbents to survive for two continuous days.
The overall length of the vehicle is 9.2 metres (m) while its width and hull height are 3.1m and 2.9m, respectively. The vehicle’s top speed on paved roads is more than 65 miles per hour. ACV has a gross weight of 35 tonnes and can carry a maximum payload of 7,280 pounds (3,302 kilogrammes).
ACV Recovery line items
There are four ACV configurations: a fighting vehicle, command and control vehicle, personnel carrier, and a recovery and maintenance vehicle. Currently, only the personnel and recovery versions are in production. The recovery variant recently completed phase one of the design process. BAE Systems will continue to deliver production representative test vehciles in 2025 – the purpose of this latest modification is to support these efforts with line items from subcontractors, both the items and the supplier remain undisclosed.
Nonetheless, this recovery vehicle will provide direct field support, maintenance and recovery to the ACV family of vehicles. (Source: army-technology.com)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Flemming
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