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13 May 15. Spain issues RfI for new 8×8 infantry fighting vehicles. Spain has reignited its search for a new 8×8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV), a programme that had been one of the main victims of the country’s defence cutbacks during the economic recession. IHS Jane’s has been told by industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources that a request for information (RfI) was sent out to leading manufacturers earlier this month. The new RfI comes six years after the original one was delivered for the project, when the previous government decided to upgrade the IFV fleet following several fatal attacks on army units during foreign deployments. Right up until the start of 2012, the programme was still being labelled a “top priority” by the Spanish Army, only to be dropped the next year amidst continuing defence spending cuts. It was only in this year’s budget that the project reappeared with a EUR41m allotment. While the names of companies receiving the RfI remain unconfirmed, they are certain to include General Dynamics’ Spanish subsidiary – Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS). General Dynamics recently finalized an order for its potential contender, the Piranha 5, with the Danish MoD. Others expected to be on the list are the Società Consortile Iveco Fiat – Oto Melara (CIO) Freccia, Nexter VBCI, Patria/Lockheed Martin AMV, and the ARTEC Boxer. The MoD is understood to be expecting firms to respond to the RfI before the end of May. The original RfI was intended to lead to the production of 300 vehicles in its first phase, estimated in 2009 to cost some EUR1.5bn. It was planned to concentrate initially on building troop carriers, scouting and command versions, with later orders to include recovery vehicles, ambulance, sappers, mortar platforms, explosive ordnance disposal units, and advanced observation models. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 May 15. US Army studying vendors’ potential ULCV offerings. Contractors have submitted information to the US Army for its potential Ultra Light Combat Vehicle (ULCV) programme, as the service hopes to field an airdropped platform to provide airborne and infantry units better mobility during early entry operations. The army asked industry teams to respond by 11 May to a ‘market questionnaire’ as it seeks information on the availability, capabilities, and potential for building ULCVs. Polaris Defense confirmed on 12 May that it had submitted its DAGOR lightweight patrol vehicle that it has sold to US and international Special Forces. Similarly, General Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) and Flyer Defense LLC are understood to have submitted information about the Flyer Gen III series vehicles, which won a competition to supply US Special Operations Command with a new Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) 1.1. Also likely to participate are Boeing’s Phantom Badger, Hendricks Dynamics’ Commando, Lockheed Martin’s High Versatility Tactical Vehicle (a derivative of the UK’s Jackal), and Vyper Adamas’ Vyper. All of these platforms took part in a demonstration at Fort Bragg for the 82nd Airborne Division, which is particularly keen on buying a new airdropped vehicle. According to an earlier army notice, the ULCV must carry a combat-equipped nine-soldier infantry squad that totals about 3,200 lb (1,450 kg), and must be capable of being airdropped in combat configuration on a 463L pallet, internally transportable by CH-47 Chinook, or sling-loaded by a UH-60 Black Hawk. The ULCV would have a 250-300 mile (400-480 km) range on internal fuel and provide a base level of protection because its high mobility would help “avoid enemy contact”, the army said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 May 15. Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) submitted a response for the U.S. Army’s request for information regardin