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05 Oct 22. Squad Vehicle Charlie – A Philippine Design for the Army? The Philippine military, like many in the Indo-Pacific region, rely on imports from foreign industries for much of its equipment.
The local Malabon-based vehicle design and manufacturing firm Anos Research Manufacturing (ARM) is seeking to fill a small but important part of the military’s equipment inventory – the light tactical vehicle (LTV) – with an indigenous system.
ARM, also the country’s sole fire fighting vehicle manufacturer, has on its own initiative and funding developed the Squad Vehicle Charlie. It is intended to fill the multiple missions assumed by light tactical vehicles required by militaries including troop transport, logistics, reconnaissance, weapons carrier, command, ambulance and general utility tasks.
In fact, LTVs typically make up a major portion of any military’s motor transport fleet and are traditionally used not only by the Army, but also support roles for Navies, Air Forces and even law enforcement. So adopting a Philippine produced LTV would be a major program with significant local economic benefits and support advantages for the military forces. It might even offer potential export opportunities for the country itself.
Squad Vehicle Charlie initially debuted to the Philippine military officials at Camp Aquinaldo this Summer. The audience included Defense secretary Delfin Lorenza.
A 4 X 4 all-wheel powered design it was shown with seating for four with a rear open bed. With a weight of 2800 kg and a modular design, it is typical of modern LTVs which are intended to be able to be configured to address a range of roles.
It is equipped with a “2.8 to 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine” providing 187 hp. It is suggested that this engine appears to be the Isuzu 4JJ3 engine which is also used in latest commercial D-Max and Mu-X. This and use of other proven and available commercial automotive components offers significant maintenance and support benefits to the military in the field. A six-speed manual transmission and high 235 mm ground clearance assures mobility in the most difficult conditions.
Although demonstrated in a light infantry/utility configuration with no doors, a canvas top, and open rear cargo bed the company made clear it can be designed in a variety of configurations. These include enclosed cab and even with Kevlar armour protection. The company continues to refine its design while continuing discussions with the Philippine military officials.
Typically, following such an initial demonstration the next step would be to undertake further hand-on government evaluations with additional pre-production version vehicles. Inquiries as to the possible scheduling of such evaluations remained so far unanswered. (Source: AMR)
07 Oct 22. BAE Systems eyes all-terrain tracked vehicle opportunities in Asia Pacific. BAE Systems is looking to ride on the momentum on its recent win of the US Army’s Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) programme to push its Beowulf articulated all-terrain tracked vehicle in the Asia Pacific.
The US$278m contract award in late August represents the company’s first sale of the Beowulf platform and is aimed at replacing the service’s Small Unit Support Vehicles (SUSVs), which are also based on BAE Systems Hägglunds BV206 vehicle.
According to BAE Systems, the Beowulf was tested for amphibious operations, terrain navigation, operations in extreme cold weather, as well as a user assessment by soldiers. The vehicle edged out an Oshkosh Defense/ST Engineering design based on the latter’s Bronco 3 vehicle.
Speaking to AMR at the DX Korea 2022 exhibition in South Korea in late September, Darren Restarick, Business Development Director (Asia Pacific) at BAE Systems said the company is looking into potential license-manufacture of the Beowulf platform in the Asia Pacific region.
“With regional countries shifting to indigenous manufacturing as a priority we are looking at the possibility of enabling local production of Beowulf for customers,” said Restarick, noting that South Korea and India would be potential candidates for such a modality.
Besides South Korea, other past and present operators of the BV206 in the Asia-Pacific region include Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Singapore. While there are no immediate articulated all terrain vehicle programmes being actively pursued in the region at present, Restarick noted that there are advantages with the Beowulf’s ability to traverse challenging terrain and access austere locations where there may be inadequate infrastructure to support heavier vehicles.
Humanitarian assistance and disaster response could also be an emerging driver for future regional sales of the vehicle. The Asia Pacific is a region prone to natural disasters, with recent examples being Typhoon Talas which lashed central Japan and a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in southeastern Taiwan in late September alone.
The company earlier positioned its position its armoured BvS10 vehicle for a potential requirement by the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) for the eventual replacement of its ageing Bv206 platforms. According to reports, the service has acquired at least 390 vehicles over the past two decades although the fleet would likely have been reduced over this time through attrition. (Source: AMR)
10 Oct 22. AM General Teams with IDV in Pursuit of The U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck Program. Global leader for military mobility solutions, AM General, has teamed with IDV, a leading international defense contractor with over 85 years of experience in the development and the manufacturing of a wide range of logistic, protected, and armored vehicles for military use. In collaboration with IDV, AM General formally submitted a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) to compete for the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) Program, which aims to develop a flexible and secure architecture to replace their Heavy and Medium Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Fleet (TWV).
“I’m excited about our collaboration with IDV because it marries international business with our deep experience in supporting the US Military. Together, we are a formidable force ready to provide the best solution for CTT,” said Jim Cannon, AM General President and CEO. “IDV is building this capability for our allies and partners today!”
AM General is proud of its long-standing partnership with the U.S. Army, having delivered world-class and combat proven solutions with a wide range of vehicles including the iconic 5-ton trucks, 2.5-ton trucks, and the HUMVEE family of vehicles. The company’s extensive manufacturing expertise coupled with its IATF 16949 certification (the premier standard for automotive production) makes them an elite automotive manufacturer in the world.
IDV is currently partnered to provide the United States Marine Corps with the new generation of Amphibious Combat Vehicles and has delivered innovative automotive and protection solutions to meet the needs of military customers worldwide. AM General is leveraging IDV’s well-established, commercially available vehicles that incorporate leading automotive enhancements and advanced technologies such as drive by wire and fuel efficiency capabilities to meet CTT requirements, which provide ample opportunity for continuous innovation.
The team’s High Mobility Range Vehicle architecture for CTT will be based on a newly launched highly modular range of trucks, specifically designed for military use. When designing this new range of trucks, IDV benefitted from the company’s significant experience acquired over the years by constantly responding to the needs expressed by the customers in over 100 countries. The vehicles guarantee their users state-of-the-art safety through high-level ballistic and anti-mine protection wherever required. They span from 4×4 to 10×10 with different types of cabins and the ability to fulfil a variety of roles. This ensures a high level of commonality to reduce the logistical footprint envisioned for the CTT program.
“We are glad to join AM General on the CTT program, and we are looking forward to uniting forces and to contributing to this partnership with our experience in designing and building multi-purpose, protected, and armored military solutions. Together with AM General, we will be able to deliver innovative automotive and protection solutions to meet the requirements and needs of the U.S. Army”, said Claudio Catalano, CEO of IDV. “The solutions developed are a
concrete proof of the commitment and the proactive approach that IDV and AM General have developed thanks to this strategic partnership”.
The competition for the CTT program is a consequential, “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to overhaul how Medium and Heavy Tactical Trucks are utilized on the battlefield. The U.S. Army has long relied on four different legacy platforms to perform key critical functions that apply to everyday mission roles. From load handling systems to fuel delivery, towing, and hauling of critical parts and supplies, these platforms must be upgraded to provide better support to the Warfighter to create a safer, more effective, and interoperable environment. As proven partners to the US Government and Allied forces, AM General and IDV are proud of the quality military vehicles they have delivered and sustained, including AM General’s 400,000 light tactical vehicles in over 70 countries – more than any other manufacturer in the world. The team’s CTT prototypes aim at providing the most capable and reliable platform to meet the Army’s requirements of enhanced safety, increased efficiency for sustainability, and interoperability.
About AM General
At AM General, we engineer, manufacture, and support specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers. Our global presence of diverse product offerings in over 70 countries uniquely positions us to enhance interoperability across our Allies and build on our long-standing defense industry and automotive partnerships. Our innovative spirit delivers advanced, rugged, resilient, and dependable mobility solutions that will move you. From the iconic HUMVEE vehicles to the next-generation HUMVEE Saber light tactical truck that offers MRAP levels of protection, and the revolutionary soft recoil technology for mobile platforms, AM General strives to offer continuous improvement that is ready now. AM General has extensive experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. Please see more information about AM General at www.amgeneral.com.
About IDV
IDV, a company of Iveco Group, is dedicated to delivering innovative automotive and protection solutions to meet the needs of military customers worldwide. The company manufactures specialist logistic, protected, and armored vehicles in its facility in Bolzano in Northern Italy, and markets as well IVECO’s full commercial range, adapted as necessary to meet the demands of the military user. In consequence, IDV has a full range of vehicles to meet a broad spectrum of defense applications. www.idvgroup.com
06 Oct 22. Japan tests new armored vehicles in bid for common platform. Japan is conducting trials of locally built wheeled armored vehicles in hopes of developing a family of vehicles using a common platform.
The Defense Ministry confirmed to Defense News that some photos and videos of the vehicles published on social media last week were prototypes developed under its Common Tactical Wheeled Vehicle program.
The ministry also confirmed the vehicles are based on the chassis of the eight-wheel drive Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The platforms include an infantry combat vehicle, a reconnaissance combat vehicle and a motorized mortar vehicle.
The online media seen by Defense News showed two vehicles accompanied by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force trucks traveling on public roads in the northern part of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s three main islands.
One of these featured a mounted turret with an cannon, believed to be the Bushmaster 30mm automatic weapon based on the weapon’s fluted barrel and muzzle brake. Another vehicle had a flat roof over its rear compartment.
Based on schematics previously released by the Defense Ministry, one of the vehicles seen in Kyushu appears to be the infantry combat vehicle variant, while the second is likely the mortar carrier.
The ministry had awarded Mitsubishi a $16.2m contract in May 2020 to produce prototypes of each variant, with delivery planned for March 2022.
In previously released specifications, the infantry combat vehicle was to be capable of carrying eight dismounted infantrymen along with three crew, while it was reported the mortar variant was to feature a 120mm weapon.
Mitsubishi is also competing against Finland’s Patria AMV XP for a separate program to replace Japan’s Type 96 wheeled armored personnel carrier. The Japanese company is proposing its Mitsubishi Armored Vehicle, which is also based on the Type 16 chassis. Those competitors’ respective vehicles are currently undergoing evaluation in Japan.
A common chassis across various vehicles would enable Japan to achieve better economies of scale and simplify logistics. Japan has regularly faced issues with the high cost of domestically developed defense equipment due to its bespoke requirements and small production runs.
The Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle is currently in service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as a rapid deployment asset, acting in the role of a tank destroyer with its 105mm main gun. (Source: Defense News)
05 Oct 22. Senate’s No. 2 Democrat pushes for safer Humvees. Spc. Luis Herrera died during a routine training mission at Fort Bragg in April when the 23-year-old soldier’s Humvee tipped over.
His death was not an isolated incident. The Army and Marine Corps reported 3,753 tactical vehicle accidents in noncombat scenarios between 2010 and 2019, resulting in the avoidable deaths of 123 service members. Two-thirds of the accidents involved vehicle rollovers that often occurred in routine training missions on U.S. soil. And Humvees accounted for the majority of those accidents, given their ubiquity throughout the Army.
A 2021 Government Accountability Office report and a subsequent “60 Minutes” news feature detailing these findings caught the attention of the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, who is now leading a congressional push to make Humvees safer.
“We were trying to up-armor them to protect the soldiers, and unfortunately it created some stability issues,” Durbin told Defense News. “I want to make sure that moving forward we have those resolved.”
Humvees already have a high center of gravity, increasing the likelihood of rollovers. The military outfitted the vehicles with additional armor during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to protect them against improvised explosive devices. But the additional armor made the vehicles heavier, adding to the already high frequency of Humvee accidents.
Humvees manufactured within the last few years come equipped with anti-lock brakes and electronic stability controls to prevent these rollovers. The company that developed these brakes, Ricardo, has also designed a safety kit to retrofit older Humvees with the anti-lock brakes and stability systems.
Durbin said he began calling for the funds to install these kits on older Humvees after watching a “60 Minutes” segment in February, which featured the families of service members who died in preventable tactical vehicle accidents.
The lawmaker used his position on the Senate’s defense spending panel to earmark $183m for retrofitting older Humvees with the safety kits in the fiscal 2022 government funding bill. This represented a significant increase over the Army’s $10.5m FY22 request to upgrade 5,421 Humvees with the kits.
Congress passed the bill — with funding for the safety kits — in March. Ricardo’s defense division received a $20m contract in September to continue retrofitting Humvees with the safety kits.
Upgrading a single Humvee with a safety kit costs $18,000, and the Army will be able to install approximately 10,400 kits with the $183m Congress appropriated. The Army owns approximately 120,000 Humvees, and roughly 54,000 of the older vehicles need the safety kit retrofits.
The Army’s program executive office in charge of combat service support told Defense News it procured 5,218 safety kits in FY22, bringing its total number of kits to 7,106. Of that number, it retrofitted 1,159 Humvees with the kits in FY22, bringing the total number of upgraded vehicles to 2,071 so far.
“The Army is committed to providing this enhanced safety capability across all Department of Army components,” Rae Higgins, a spokeswoman for Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, told Defense News.
She noted that 40% of the procured retrofit kits are projected to go on active duty vehicles, with 20% for the Army Reserve, 35% for the National Guard and 5% for Army pre-positioned stock.
The Senate’s draft defense spending bill for FY23 includes another $61m to speed up safety kit installation — a sizable increase over the Army’s $50.5m request. Durbin’s office told Defense News the senator is working to increase — or at least maintain — this figure as Congress continues to negotiate final spending levels for the next fiscal year.
Durbin also added $10m in funding to research air bag kits to prevent injuries in the event a Humvee rolls over despite the new anti-lock brake systems.
“The Army is also reviewing additional safety upgrades — such as air bags and restraint systems — that can further help save lives,” Durbin said on the Senate floor in April. “All of these critical investments must be made in parallel.”
His office noted the Army has improved its tactical vehicle training — a key recommendation in the Government Accountability Office report that first documented the high accident rate. The report issued nine total recommendations regarding vehicle training, staffing and hazard communication to the Army, Marine Corps and Navy. The Pentagon agreed with all of them. (Source: Defense News)
05 Oct 22. Could this be the British Army’s next truck? The British military has thousands of the earlier Rheinmetall MAN’s HX1 version of this truck.
The British Army operates thousands of lorries – known as MAN Supply Vehicles – using them for everything from troop carriers to tankers.
The truck’s manufacturers recently unveiled a new updated model, designed for difficult off-road terrain – called the HX2.
At this year’s Defence Vehicle Dynamics Show (DVD) at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, Forces News had the chance to take a closer look at what could be the British Army’s next truck.
Known to soldiers as the MAN Support Vehicle or MAN SV, the British military has thousands of the earlier HX1 version of the truck.
Rheinmetall MAN has sold the new model to a host of countries, including Australia and New Zealand, as well as the militaries in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
There are also eight and 10-wheel versions available with the larger vehicle even able to be fitted with a howitzer.
The cabin and controls on every model are identical, meaning drivers can easily swap between different size vehicles.
That same commonality also extends to the drivetrain of the vehicle, cutting down on the cost of spare parts and servicing.
As and when the Ministry of Defence (MOD) comes to update its logistics fleet this truck is likely to be among the contenders.
Volvo, the US firm Oshkosh, and Italian manufacturer IVECO are other companies that could field contenders. (Source: forces.net)
30 Sep 22. US funding Jordanian armoured vehicles for Palestinian forces. The US embassy in Israel has ordered armoured vehicles from Jordan Light Vehicle Manufacturing (JLVM) on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, according to a notice published on the US System of Award Management website on 21 September. The order is for six Al-Jawad MK IV and nine Al-Maha light armoured vehicles (LAVs) at an estimated total cost of USD2.3m. The Al-Jawad uses the Ford F-550 chassis and has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 8.6 tonne, while the Al-Maha uses the Toyota Land Cruiser chassis and has a GVW of 5.5 tonne.
The notice, which was posted to justify placing an order without a full and open competition, said similar vehicles were procured for the Palestinian National Security Forces in 2016 from a partnership involving JLVM and the US company Jankel Tactical Services. “That partnership has dissolved and JLVM is able to offer nearly identical LAVs with significant cost reductions,” it said, adding that import/export challenges “plagued” the delivery of the previous vehicles from the US. (Source: Janes)
22 Sep 22. The UK MoD has today released the April 2022 official statistics for armed forces equipment which readers might find of interest. Extracts from: Annual statistics on vessels, land equipment and aircraft of the armed forces, and military formations ~ published by UK MoD on 29 September 2022:-
- Land Equipment: There were 3,640 pieces of Combat Equipment as at 1 April 2022, a reduction of 345 platforms since 2021. This largely due to Husky platforms being defielded. There are currently 21 AJAX platforms in operation in the UK Armed forces.
- Protected Mobility Vehicles made up the largest (42%) proportion of land combat equipment. Most Combat Equipment Platforms at 1 April 2022 were Protected Mobility Vehicles (42%), with Armoured Fighting Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers making up 31% and 26% respectively. This change from 2021 is due to the number of Husky vehicles which were defielded.
- The most common types of combat equipment land platforms in the UK armed forces are: Bulldog (APC) – 85; Warrior (AFV) – 721.
- The UK armed forces had 244 Artillery and 148 Engineering Equipment pieces at 1 April 2022.
- At 1 April 2022, there were 14,358 pieces of Combat Support Equipment in the UK armed forces of which 46% were Landrovers [sic] and 47% were Wheeled Support Vehicles. The decrease in this number since April 2021 is due to a decrease of 147 Landrovers [sic] and 228 Wheeled Support Vehicles.
Editor’s Comments:-
- With Husky being “defielded” and thereby no longer listed on the 2022 Combat Equipment List and as Panther CLV was announced as being withdrawn under the 2020 Land Environment Fleet Optimisation Plan or LEFOP, WOLFHOUND (reduced from 125 to 91 units) and RIDGBACK (164 still in service out of an original 168) are the only fully armoured 4×4 vehicles showing on the British Army inventory; though a very small number of armoured Land Rovers are probably included in the Combat Support Equipment category total; JLTV was expected to replace Husky and Panther but all appears to have gone ominously quiet on that score.
- The 21 AJAX family vehicles (now nicknamed the ‘Invisible Elephant’ as not only were there none at DVD 2022 last week but their manufacturer mysteriously dropped off the Exhibitor List shortly beforehand and also no mention was made of the vehicle in official ministerial speeches at the show) listed as being “in operation in the UK armed forces” have not actually reached Initial Operating Capability yet despite bns having been spent on the project to date, so their inclusion is curious.
- BULLDOG, the 2006 re-engined and upgraded version of the FV430-series tracked vehicle family which entered production 60 years ago this year, and the CVR(T) family vehicles, which entered service over 50 years ago, should both have been replaced early this century; AJAX family vehicles were eventually ordered in 2014 to replace BULLDOG and CVR(T) in most roles.
- In early 2021 the UK MoD cancelled the WARRIOR Capability Sustainment Programme to upgrade the now 35-year old Infantry Fighting Vehicle and announced it would be replaced in the middle of this decade by BOXER 8×8 but although the number dropped from 767 in April 2021 to 721 in April 2022 an additional battalion has recently transitioned to this ageing tracked vehicle.
- The total Land Rover fleet (many to be replaced in the future by GSUP) is listed as having been 6,609 in April 2022 and the Wheeled Support Vehicle (i.e. MAN SV) total was given as 6,781. (Source: joint-forces.com)
26 Sep 22. Oshkosh Defence with Broshuis B.V. selected to produce EHETS (Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System) trailer for the US Army. Oshkosh Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, announced today that the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) has awarded Oshkosh Defense a contract to produce Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System (EHETS) trailers for the US Army. Oshkosh will execute the contract with the support of its major subcontractor, Broshuis B.V.
The competitively awarded five-year requirements contract is valued at $263.2 M for an estimated 466 trailers and associated logistics products and support services. Under the first delivery order, valued at $37.6 M, Oshkosh Defense will produce five test trailers for Product Verification Testing (PVT), Operational Testing (OT), Logistics Development and Engineering Development, along with 68 production trailers.
“One of Oshkosh’s core competencies is partnering with our customers to develop and deliver vehicles and trailers specifically designed to meet stringent military requirements and survive the rigours of modern combat,” said Pat Williams, Vice President and General Manager of US Army and US Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “The EHETS trailer is one such example of our commitment to meeting our customer’s mission requirements. We are proud that the US Army has once again called on us to produce another mission-critical trailer,” Williams concluded.
Oshkosh Defense designed the EHETS trailer to be pulled by the Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) A1 currently in service with the US Army. The combined HET A1 and EHETS trailer system is designed to self-load and unload and can haul a payload of up to 90 tons, allowing it to transport the heaviest Army tracked vehicles, including current and future versions of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), while also obtaining European road permissions at required payloads. (Source: joint-forces.com)
22 Sep 22. The French DGA (Directorate General of Armaments) has ordered the last 180 of 300 Fardier vehicles and 100 trailers from UNAC. The General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) notified the company UNAC on August 30, 2022 of the order of the last 180 Fardier vehicles out of the 300 provided for by the military programming law 2019-2025, and the last 100 trailers out of the 172 also planned. Worth a total of 44 m Euros, the contract for the flatbed trucks and their trailers also includes 10 years of support from the manufacturer.
Intended for Army airborne troops and Special Forces, the Fardier is a small air-transportable, air-droppable and heliportable all-terrain transport vehicle. It makes it possible to deploy commandos quickly, to lighten the dismounted combatant in any zone, and to facilitate the self-defence of the deployment zones. The first 2 Fardiers were delivered to the Army on April 19, 2022. They will be used during MANTICORE, a joint exercise with the Land Special Forces Command, the 11th Parachute Brigade and the 4th Aerocombat Brigade, which takes place from September 16 to October 7. Eight Fardiers are scheduled to be delivered this year. Deliveries will continue until 2027.
The Fardier can be embarked on board a military transport plane (C130 Hercules and A400M Atlas), parachuted (from C130 Hercules and A400M Atlas) and transported by helicopter under sling (Caracal and NH90). Thanks to this vehicle, the commandos can be dropped or deposited at a safe distance and then move quickly with their equipment towards their objectives. Thus lightened, these fighters who carry around 50kg on their backs, gain in agility and increase their range of action.
A light all-terrain compact vehicle of 2 tonnes, the Fardier has a high capacity of crossing as well as displacement on grounds inaccessible to the traditional 4×4. Robust and reliable, it was designed without any electronic system to avoid any non-repairable breakdown in operation. It is capable of towing a 120mm mortar or transporting several large pieces of equipment using its trailer that can carry a load of up to 400kg. It also makes it possible to quickly evacuate a casualty lying down towards a place of care. The Fardier market represents 250 jobs, direct and indirect, at UNAC and its subcontractors. (Source: joint-forces.com)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
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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: David Parkman
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