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22 Dec 15. EDA launches Lightweight Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle project. Five European nations have joined together to conduct research on lightweight vehicle construction technologies, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has announced.
Known as the Lightweight Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicles (L-AMPV) project, the effort is being led by Germany, with Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain also participating.
Speaking to IHS Jane’s on 21 December, an EDA official stated: “The overall objective is to introduce new lightweight materials like carbon fibre reinforced polymers [CFRP] and other lightweight materials, which have been developed by industries within recent years, to make Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicles structures lighter thus contributing to increased vehicle mobility or having additional space either for missions payload or protection.”
The effort, classed as a Category B project by the EDA, is “planned as a 15-month study with the final result available in first quarter of 2017”, he added. The overall budget for the study is estimated to be a little more than EUR1 million (USD1.1 million).
According to the EDA, 10 companies are involved in the L-AMPV study. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann is serving as industry co-ordinator, with the other nine being: “Airborne, Camattini Meccanica, CEIIA, IABG, IVECO, Scania Netherland, Tecnalia, TNO, and UROVESA.”
L-AMPV has been divided into two phases. According to the official the first study phase will “address detailed information [material, weight, size, price] of actually used vehicle components/parts; determine weight drivers; perspectives to reduce the weight of these parts by simultaneously performing an overall utility analysis of a systems lifecycle basis; address what armament [research and technology] can contribute to further stimulation of the ‘lightweighting’ process; prepare the proposal for second phase 2”.
The second phase, which would follow the delivery of the study, could then see the creation of an experimental technology demonstrator. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
21 Dec 15. BAE Systems to Provide Assault Amphibious Vehicles to Brazilian Marine Corps. BAE Systems has been awarded an $82m contract to modernize and deliver 23 upgraded Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAV7A1) for the Brazilian Marine Corps. The vehicles, which will be the Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (RAM/RS) variant, will significantly enhance the current capabilities of the Brazilian Marine Corps.
“These new vehicles will have major capability enhancements, which will give the Brazilian military an amphibious vehicle with improved speed and reliability beyond the current configuration,” said Deepak Bazaz, director of new and amphibious vehicles at BAE Systems. “We have a strong track record of supporting the Brazilian military and will continue that close working relationship throughout this program.”
Under the terms of the contract, BAE Systems will provide 23 AAV7A1 RAM/RS vehicles and supply all tools and test equipment to support vehicle maintenance. The company will also provide an initial sustainment capability to the Brazilian Marine Corps to include spare parts and field service support, as well as training for the vehicle users.
The AAV7A1 RAM/RS variant provides a more powerful engine and drive train, as well as an upgraded suspension system, allowing the vehicles to meet or exceed original AAV7A1 performance requirements. The RAM/RS variant also provides improved mobility and repair capabilities while transporting troops and cargo from ships.
Work on the contract will take place at BAE Systems’ York, Pennsylvania facility. Production is anticipated to start in June with vehicle deliveries beginning in February 2017. Final delivery to Brazil is expected to take place by the end of 201