Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK
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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21 Mar 11. The Netherlands could soon scrap its two tank divisions, leaving its army without tanks. According to the AD newspaper, the Dutch defence minister is considering getting rid of all 80 tanks as part of cost-cutting measures. The tank divisions currently used in foreign peacekeeping missions were originally set up to protect the Netherlands from attack from communist states. A plan to scrap a number of transport helicopters is also being considered to save money. (Source: armytechnology.com)
22 Mar 11. WCSP in doubt? In spite of the fact that the MoD rejected the BAE bid for the Warrior WCSP Programme, sources suggest that the Lockheed offering has still not been funded and there are suggestions that the exiting offering could be delayed or even cancelled and the whole project de-scoped
22 Mar 11. Desert Warrior gains momentum. Sources suggest that the Kuwait Government will soon issue a Statement of Work for the upgrade of the Desert Warrior programme for which UKTI is forming a consortium to bid for. BAE Systems said that they would bid for the contract once the Statement of Work is issued and there are suggestions that a U.S. consortium will also bid. (See: BATTLESPACE EXHIBITION NEWS Vol.13 ISSUE 02, 25 February 2011, News from IDEX, DESERT WARRIOR UPGRADE IMMINENT)
22 Mar 11. Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., America’s premier custom fire apparatus manufacturer, has begun installing EPA2010-compliant MaxxForce® 13 diesel engines in its Inferno® and Igniter® heavy-duty custom fire chassis. MaxxForce engines are designed, engineered and built by Navistar Engine Group. Ferrara President/CEO Chris Ferrara was enthusiastic in announcing the news to dealers and customers ahead of the FDIC conference and exhibition in Indianapolis. “Our company is known as a custom builder of high quality, heavy duty fire apparatus, and MaxxForce engines have a similar, proven record of quality and performance,” Ferrara said. “The fact that MaxxForce 13 delivers peak torque at a low 1,000 RPM is particularly well-suited to the fire industry.”
The MaxxForce 13 produces 475 horsepower and 1,700 ft-lb torque, making it an excellent selection for custom pumper, tanker, aerial and heavy rescue apparatus. The industry’s best low-end torque is especially critical to emergency rescue operations where every second counts.
“Fire departments across the country have come to rely on our engines in nearly 60 percent of the commercial fire apparatus market,” said Eric Tech, president, Navistar Engine Group. “Now, buyers of Ferrara custom apparatus have the option to put MaxxForce power to work in their fleet.”
EPA 2010-compliant MaxxForce engines use Navistar’s advanced in-cylinder emissions technology that does not require liquid urea. As a result, they provide Ferrara customers with significant “no hassle” operational advantages over liquid-urea SCR-equipped apparatus. These include no additional wheelbase length to accommodate additional tanks, no secondary operating fluid to add (urea), no additional driver training, and ease of maintenance.
22 Mar 11. At a press event at this week’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction industry trade show