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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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24 May 11. Oshkosh Defense will deliver more than 200 Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) tractors and nearly 70 LVSR wreckers following an order from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM). These will be the first full-rate production tractor and wrecker variants, complementing the LVSR cargo variants that have been supporting Marines in Afghanistan since September 2009.
“The LVSR tractors and wreckers allow Marines to navigate some of their heaviest equipment through the most challenging off-road terrain,” said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “In addition to optimizing mobility, the LVSR incorporates technology that provides sophisticated on-board diagnostics information and integrated armor for superior protection. Oshkosh is pleased to support Marine Corps missions with these innovative and highly protected tractors and wreckers.”
The LVSR tractor is designed to haul combat vehicles, semi-trailers and other equipment. It has a fifth-wheel vertical-loading capacity of 25.3 tons and a recovery winch with a 30-ton capacity. The LVSR wrecker supports vehicle recovery in a wide range of terrain – from deserts to mountains – including sand, mud, water and snow. The heavy-payload vehicle can flat tow vehicles weighing as much as 55 tons as well as lift and tow vehicles weighing as much as 48 tons. The advanced LVSR is produced in three variants – cargo, wrecker and tractor – and features an on-road payload capacity of 22.5 tons and an off-road payload capacity of 16.5 tons. It is equipped with the Oshkosh Command Zone™ embedded diagnostics system to provide real-time performance feedback on vital vehicle information and uses the company’s patented TAK-4® independent suspension system for off-road mobility in the most challenging environments. LVSR tractor and wrecker production is scheduled to begin in January 2012 and be completed in September 2012. The order is valued at nearly $125m.
19 May 11. Turkey completes artillery ammunition resupply vehicle prototype. The Turkish Land Forces Logistics Command (TLFLC) has completed the first prototype of its Firtina Artillery Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (FAARV). A second pre-production vehicle is expected to follow in 2012 or early 2013, after which the main production run of between 70 and 80 vehicles will be built at the TLFLC’s Arifiye facilities. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)
30 May 11. Dutch Tank History Ends With a Bang. With four shots fired on Range 6 at the Bergen-Hohne firing range, the Defence organisation said farewell to the Leopard 2A6 main battle tank on the 19th of may. The Dutch tank history ended on the same German firing range where the Dutch Leopard fired its first shots. The farewell ceremony was tough for the many tank personnel present. Commander of the headquarters and headquarters company, Captain Johnny Romein said: “This feels like a funeral. The tank is part of our lives.” In his speech, the Senior Officer of the Cavalry, Major General (ret’d) Harm de Jonge, praised the deployment of the tank during the peace operation in the former Yugoslavia and the deployment of the p