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16 Sep 11. Nexter shows off XP2 demonstrator. Nexter Systems’ self-funded XP2 (6×6) technology demonstrator was shown to the public for the first time at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London. The XP2, which recently completed initial mobility trials in the south of France, was completed in mid-2010 and shown to a select number of French government officials at Eurosatory in 2010. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)
26 Sep 11. Ceradyne, Inc. announced the completion of an advanced technology HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) RECAP prototype that has been completed by Ceradyne Vehicle Armor Systems and Gravikor in a team effort to incorporate a spaceframe design. Ceradyne Vehicle Armor Systems, in conjunction with their Team Partner Gravikor will be displaying a technologically advanced version of a HMMWV RECAP candidate at the Modern Day Marine Exhibition in Quantico, VA. on September 27-29, 2011. The prototype incorporates an advanced spaceframe design for a vehicle crew cab providing the versatility to scale the armor application to the mission. Capable of going from traditional canvas doors to a full “Frag Kit” protection level, this solution also incorporates a blast shield of advanced materials under the crew cab. The combination allows the Marine Corps to recapture the full weight savings needed to insure expeditionary amphibious operations and long term storage aboard ships.
29 Sep 11. The U.S. Army intends to pay no more than $180,000 to upgrade each Humvee in its recapitalization program, according to the complete version of the draft request for proposals, released Sept. 29. Army and Marine Corps officials have said it makes sense to upgrade a portion of the Humvee fleet only if it remains significantly cheaper than buying Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, which the services expect to cost about $366,000 apiece.
“We don’t want to be in a position where we are spending more to upgrade a Humvee than we would to replace that vehicle with an even more capable vehicle that we built from the ground up,” said Col. David Bassett, Army program manager for Tactical Vehicles. “If it costs too much, it doesn’t make strategic sense. You’re better off just replacing it.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently recommended the Defense Department kill the JLTV, saying its jobs could be handled by other vehicles, including upgraded Humvees. Army and Marine Corps officials have since pushed back in public comments against that recommendation.
Christopher Yunker, Mobility Branch section head at Marine Corps Combat
Development Command, said if an upgraded Humvee cost any more than 60 percent of what a JLTV would cost, the Marine Corps would consider the Humvee recapitalization a bad investment.
“What we’re seeing is to get the capability you’re looking for in the JLTV, your most effective move for the taxpayer is to go ahead and buy a new vehicle that will give you a 20-year service life as opposed to recapping an old vehicle that will give you seven or eight years,” Yunker said. (Source: Defense News)
———————————————————————–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.