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Millbrook, based in Bedfordshire, UK, makes a significant contribution to the quality and performance of military vehicles worldwide. Its specialist expertise is focussed in two distinct areas: test programmes to help armed services and their suppliers ensure that their vehicles and systems work as the specification requires; and design and build work to upgrade new or existing vehicles, evaluate vehicle capability and investigate in-service failures. Complementing these is driver and service training and a hospitality business that allows customers to use selected areas of Millbrook’s remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
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09 Feb 11. BAE bid for WCSP dropped by UK MoD. BAE Systems told BATTLESPACE today that its bid for the multi-million Warrior WCSP programme had been dropped by the U.K. MoD. This leaves Lockheed Martin as the sole bidder for this Programme. A BAE company spokesman said, “We have been informed by the MoD that our WCSP bid has been rejected. We are working with the MoD to understand the reasons behind their decision. It would be inappropriate to comment further until we understand them.” Lockheed Martin said, “Lockheed Martin UK has been informed of the MoD’s assessments of our bid for the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme. Discussions with MOD will be on-going to finalise details before any final decision is made on WCSP.”
BATTLESPACE Comment: Whilst this is technically good news for Lockheed Martin the doubt in some sources mind remains that the whole WCSP Programme is under threat or delay in spite of MGO Maj. Gen. Bill Moore’s remarks at the IAV Conference this week stating it as a key Programme. BAE has already supplied a number of Warrior UOR vehicles into theatre and this may prove to be the way forward for the vehicle for the short to medium term. Another reason for dropping the BAE bid may revolve around the dogged determination of BAE and David Leslie in particular, to offer the turret with a CTAI fit only, whereas Lockheed has chosen to offer its turret with a CTAI or Bush 44 fit. The hoped for WCSP ISD does not fit into the current CTA Qualification Programme and it may be that CTA is quietly dropped for a faster Bushmaster 44 fit. Sources at IAV told BATTLESPACE today that the current price for a standard CTA round is a staggering £600 each, with the specialist Air Burst coming in at £1500, causing one source to suggest that a pay-by-the round service might be introduced!
03 Feb 11. Boeing and iRobot have delivered the first 30 small unmanned ground vehicles (SUGV) under a contract with the US Air Force (USAF) for the service’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team. This is the first task order of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract which runs through September 2012. The robot is designed to give warfighters real-time awareness of critical situations and allow them to complete missions from safe, stand-off distances. Boeing provides programme management, contracts, and quality-control support while iRobot is responsible for engineering, design, manufacturing, training and logistics services. Boeing Network and Tactical Systems Robotics programme manager Mike Huddleston said SUGV represents an important advancement in UGV technology because of its low weight and advanced capabilities.
“It gives warfighters the ability to deploy the robot at a moment’s notice when faced with a variety of dangerous missions,” he added.
SUGV is ideal for a variety of mission types, including EOD, route clearance and reconnaissance. (Source: airforcetechnology.com)
08 Feb 11. Diehl Defence, the corporate division of Diehl Group, has announced it will concentrate its vehicle business in a new subsidiary. Named Diehl Defence Land Systems, it will bring together the Industriewerke Saar, Freisen and Di