02 Sep 11. The Australian Government has approved the acquisition of over 950 new four-wheel-drive vehicles, and trailers and associated equipment, which will be used for training purposes by the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). The combined first and second pass approval is for the acquisition of light and lightweight tactical training vehicles under Land 121 phase 5A. The acquisition includes 950 new ‘G-Wagon’ four-wheel-drive vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, along with 200 modules and 830 trailers. The modules will be manufactured and integrated onto the vehicles by GH Varley, while the trailers will be provided by Haulmark Trailers. The Land 121 Phase 5A project aims to provide a fleet of tactical vehicles and an enhanced training capability to the Australian Army to prepare for operations in armoured vehicles. The approved value is around $425m, while the Australian industry component is more than $100m. The government has also approved another three defence projects for the navy and the total estimated $550m expenditure approval is part of the commitment to Australia’s national security of expenditure of around $3bn. (Source: armytechnology.com)
————————————————————————-

Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK

Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408

www.millbrook.co.uk/military

————————————————————————-

01 Sep 11. Force Protection Industries, Inc. announced the submission of a bid and test vehicle to the Canadian Forces for the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) project. Force Protection is offering the Canadian Forces a 6×6 variant of the battle proven Cougar wheeled combat vehicle developed by Force Protection to meet the TAPV requirements. Force Protection will be the design authority and have overall responsibility for the acquisition contract to supply the TAPV vehicles and maintain configuration control. As Force Protection’s main Canadian partner, CAE will have overall responsibility for the comprehensive in-service support (ISS) solution, including: vehicle operator and mission training systems; engineering information environment; fleet management services; systems engineering support; and, lifecycle and integrated logistics support services. CAE will also be responsible for assembling a pan-Canadian team of companies to develop and support any country-specific requirements for Canada’s replacement fleet of tactical armored patrol vehicles. Force Protection and CAE previously announced a collaboration that includes Elbit Systems as the provider for a dual remote weapons system (DRWS) and Lockheed Martin Canada as the provider of C4ISR suite for the Timberwolf vehicle. Elbit Systems’ Land and C4I DRWS was chosen based on its superior performance, reliability and ease of integration. Lockheed Martin Canada was chosen as the C4ISR integrator for Timberwolf based on its recognized capability in the development, production and support for integrated C4 systems. A contract award to the final selected bidder for the TAPV requirement is currently expected by the second quarter of 2012.

———————————————————————–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.
——————————————————————