MILITARY VEHICLE NEWS
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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.
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23 Jun 09. BAE Systems has acquired the South African designed and developed light armoured vehicle and will rebrand it as RG34. The vehicle will be marketed to military, peace-keeping and security authorities globally. Iguana was developed by IADSA, under contract from Sabiex in Belgium. BAE Systems acquired the intellectual property from Sabiex under an agreement for an undisclosed amount, signed earlier this week. The acquisition of the armoured vehicle is consistent with the compan’s strategy to developing its South African market capabilities. BAE Systems will continue to develop the RG34 to further enhance its operational versatility and appeal. ”Growing our business organically and through acquisitions is a vital strategy for us. Acquiring a mature, light armoured vehicle such as the RG34 to compliment our product range, is an important step that will provide additional growth opportunities for the South African business,” said Johan Steyn, MD BAE Systems’ Land Systems South Africa business. “We acquired the vehicle and are rebranding it as the RG34 because it enables us to expand our range of successful and world-acclaimed South African designed and built RG.” explained Steyn. BAE Systems will display the RG34 at the DefenceWeb Peacekeeping Conference, to be held 24-25 June 2009 at Gallagher Estates, South Africa. One of the RG34’s unique features is its specially designed, multi-link hydro-pneumatic suspension, which is mounted on a very rigid structure. This provides the vehicle with excellent road performance, a small turning circle and comfortable clearance over humps.
Like most of the other members of the RG family of vehicles, the RG34 is mine-resistant, having undergone extensive mine-blast tests and verifications. The vehicle is suitable for multi purpose light operations such as reconnaissance, patrol, command and control and specialist support (eg. ambulance), light armour combat (weapon platforms and Armoured Personnel Carriers) and security.
24 Jun 09. Lockheed Martin UK unveilled new approaches to differing land systems requirements DVD where for the first time it will display the AVATM-2, the second prototype vehicle to be produced using the Lockheed Martin Adaptive Vehicle Architecture; Lockheed Martin’s Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) technology base and a Jackal-3 cab mock-up. Primarily designed and developed in the UK, the prototype AVATM-2 vehicle has the potential to meet several emerging UK requirements, including the Operational Utility Vehicle System (OUVS). Six metres long with a gross vehicle weight of 18,000kg, the vehicle also features a modified V-shaped hull which is as survivable as the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) platforms while having greater mobility and sprint speeds. AVA-1, introduced at DVD 2008, will this year be providing on-road demonstrations. The flexibility in the AVATM vehicle design and build, coupled with an upgraded suspension system that is currently in-service with the existing UK Jackal vehicles, along with a cab that provi