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19 Sep 18. BATTLESPACE Takes a ride in the Oshkosh JLTV. Battlespace Editor, Julian Nettlefold, was delighted to accept the invitation by Oshkosh Defense to take a ride in the Oshkosh JLTV vehicle as selected by the US Army and USMC and the UK MoD for the MRV(P) Programme. Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, exhibited the JLTV DVD, this week. The JLTV is the next-generation light tactical wheeled vehicle that delivers unmatched protection, speed and off-road mobility never before seen on today’s battlefield.
The vehicle is remarkable quiet and agile with the gearbox offering a smooth takeoff through the gears onto the Off-Road. The JLTV has High and Low Range with Diff Locks on every axle to allow the vehicle to attack any obstacle be it water, sand or as we found, logs! The result was an effortless journey round the test track with any obstacle be it sand, water, angles be they steep drops or side traverse, being attacked and conquered as if the vehicle was on a day trip to the beach! See full story on FEATURES BATTLESPACE Takes a ride in the Oshkosh JLTV By Julian Nettlefold.
17 Sep 18. Supacat’s HMT Light Weight Recovery (LWR) progresses through development trials. Since the launch of the Supacat HMT Light Weight Recovery (HMT LWR) vehicle at DSEi in September 2017 the prototype vehicle has been undergoing trials both by Supacat at its test facility and by CSS TDU (Combat Service Support Trials & Development Unit). The trials have identified areas with potential for further capability gains and enhancement to the original specification. The next phase of development trials will start in October 2018 and will continue throughout 2019.
The 10.5 tonne HMT Light Weight Recovery (HMT LWR) has been developed to fill a capability gap to recover vehicles operating in hard to access urban and rural locations as required by the UK MoD’s Light Weight (Air Portable) Recovery Capability (LW(AP)RC) programme. The 6×6 HMT LWR offers high levels of agility, off-road performance and protection in common with Supacat’s High Mobility Transporter (HMT) family, which includes `Jackal` and `Coyote` now within UK MoD’s Core Fleet. HMT LWR utilises many HMT design features such as the variable height air suspension system, engine and drive line that have been battle proven in numerous theatres. Blast and ballistic protection has been built into the chassis providing the optimum protection for its weight of 10.5 tonnes.
HMT LWR utilises an innovative new Supacat designed technology, `Supalift` (patent pending), which increases the size of vehicles that can be recovered by a light weight recovery vehicle. HMT LWR’s recovery system can be operated both in conventional mode and by the operator engaging `Supalift`, which increases the maximum lifting weight of the recovery system by up to 50%. In conventional mode the HMT LWR recovery system lifts a maximum recovered vehicle axle mass of 3.8 tonnes and in `Supalift` mode rises to 6.1 tonnes (specification based on recovering an HMT 400 `Jackal 2`). `Supalift` technology is based on the principle of distributing the weight of the casualty vehicle more evenly over the recovery vehicle.
Phil Applegarth, Head of Supacat, said, “We are very excited by the potential of this pioneering vehicle. The HMT platform has proven itself as the vehicle of choice for modern fighting forces and we look forward to the successful delivery of this latest addition to the HMT family. It will be a game-changer in extending the lifting capability of recovery systems for defence and other industry sectors.”
17 Sep 18. BAE Systems details Black Night demonstrator. On 11 September, Jane’s was given an exclusive tour of Black Night, BAE Systems’ Challenger 2 Life Extension Project (LEP) technology demonstrator. The LEP is intended to address mission system obsolescence and ensure that the vehicle remains supportable until 2035. However, BAE Systems’ proposal demonstrated in Black Night not only addresses obsolescence but also improves capability.
Simon Jackson, campaign leader of BAE Systems’ Team Challenger 2, told Jane’s, “BAE Systems is nearing the completion of the Challenger 2 LEP assessment phase contract with the MoD [Ministry of Defence]. We have submitted documentation to support the MoD’s preliminary design review and Black Night has been developed to both inform the development of our Challenger 2 Mk 2 solution, and to demonstrate the maturity of our design.”
He went on to say, “The new capabilities of the upgraded vehicle will ensure that it is effective out to 2035, with growth potential to proceed beyond this date if the MoD so requires.”
Furthermore, the design process has provided commonality with the Ajax, the UK’s future reconnaissance vehicle currently under production by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) UK, to the extent that an Ajax commander could operate in a Challenger 2 Mk 2 with relatively little adjustment. This will reduce the training and support burden, an issue that many countries have encountered when deploying a mixed fleet of vehicles.
According to Jackson, Black Night “is a demonstrator designed to show what Team Challenger 2 has achieved during the assessment phase. It includes the core offering of advanced mission systems as well as options such as active protective measures.”
The improvements include a Safran Paseo commander’s independent sight, Leonardo thermal imager for the gunner, and Leonardo night sight DNVS 4. The enhancements are designed to provide a 24-hour hunter-killer capability through the provision of thermal imagers for the gunner, commander, and driver. (Source: News Now/IHS Jane’s)
17 Sep 18. Jankel launches 6×6 additions to their successful FOX vehicle range at DVD 2018. Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO vehicles and protection systems, is launching an exciting new addition to their FOX range of tactical vehicles. Having partnered with NSV and MDT, Jankel are now able to offer 6×6 variants of their Toyota-based FOX vehicles. The new FOX variants utilise the Multi-drive 6×6 technology, originally developed in Australia and built by NSV. This launch coincides with the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) event taking place on 19/20 September 2018 at Millbrook, where Jankel will be exhibiting their capabilities on stand number OR-12. The new 6×6 FOX variants benefit from increased payload and capacity whilst maintaining the mobility and tactical fighting capability already well-proven with the 4×4 configurations. Using NSV experience and Multi-drive technology, Jankel can deliver an all-wheel drive solution that has been proven over years of durability testing and in-service use with mining, exploration and government organisations. The 6×6 FOX has a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 6,300kg and offers a significant and configurable payload of up to 3,000kg. The increased vehicle length also delivers additional user payload and operational space. Both the 6×6 and 4×4 FOX variants carry as standard a crew of 3 or 4 and can achieve speeds of up to 96mph/155kmh at maximum GVW. Available in both Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser 79 series base platforms, this new addition to the FOX family increases the role and variant flexibility on offer to the user whilst maintaining automotive and logistic cross-fleet commonality. As already proven, the Fox vehicle is capable of withstanding the roughest treatment in the harshest of environments.
Jankel has successfully developed their business model in recent years to become a company that delivers fully engineered tactical and military vehicles, with the benefits of matching a range of highly capable COTS chassis systems. In 2015, Jankel was awarded a contract by the Belgium Ministry of Defence (BeMOD) to supply over 100 FOX 4×4 Rapid Reaction Vehicles (RRV).
At DVD, as well as the extended 6×6 base platform for the FOX, Jankel will be presenting a range of Toyota-based options including a Civilian Armoured Vehicle (CAV) Land Cruiser 200 (LC200) series and a Fox RRV-x, alongside a Mercedes Benz UNIMOG that is used as the base drive train for the Light Troop Transport Vehicle (LTTV) currently being developed for the Belgian Ministry of Defence. With the Armoured LC200 CAV, Jankel will be show-casing specialist upgrades delivering higher protection levels, including innovative security and safety technologies.
Sam Foreman, Head of Sales at Jankel said: “the new 6×6 FOX variants are an important addition to our growing vehicle family. Payload and capacity are high-value assets to the war-fighter so offering users increased capability whilst maintaining the levels of mobility and fleet commonality is a key step for our existing and future users.” He added: “Our partnership with NSV and MDT is fundamental to the success of this new 6×6 variant as with this partnership comes well-proven, reliable technology that can be integrated into our existing 4×4 designs”.
13 Sep 18. RoKA unveils new CBRN reconnaissance vehicles. CBRN Recon Vehicle II seen on display at DX Korea 2018. The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has unveiled its enhanced chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defence capabilities at the 2018 edition of the DX Korea land forces exhibition held from 12-16 September. Fielded in 2017, the service’s latest CBRN Recon Vehicle II is an armoured CBRN reconnaissance vehicle designed to detect and rapidly identify nuclear and chemical warfare agents, and provide early warning of dangers to friendly units in the same area of operations. The CBRN Recon Vehicle II is manufactured by South Korean defence prime Hanwha Land Systems, and was derived from the improved K200A1 Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle (KIFV) chassis. It is essentially an updated and networked version of the earlier K216 NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV), which is based on the first-generation K200 KIFV chassis. The latest vehicle is equipped with newer and more effective samplers and sensors, data analysis and processing systems, as well as a battlefield management system (BMS). The 13-tonne vehicle is operated by a four-person crew inside a 5.4m long, 3.1m wide, and 2.1m high hull that can protect them from small arms fire; air-blast effects; and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) agents. It is powered by a 350hp diesel engine that provides a maximum road speed and range of 70km/h and 480km, respectively, when using the standard 400-litre fuel tank. The vehicle is expected to operate close to the forward edge of the battlespace behind the RoKA’s tank and armoured fighting vehicle units, so it is armed with a M60 7.62mm machine gun (MG) and a K6 12.7mm heavy MG for self-defence. Its primary capabilities reside in its NBC detection suite, which includes equipment such a soil and air sampling system, chemical sampling tools, contamination marking set, mass spectrometer, radiological detection system, warfare agent indication system, and weather observation system. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Sep 18. BAE Systems eyes BvS10 opportunity in South Korea. BAE Systems Hägglunds is ramping up efforts to position its armoured BvS10 articulated all-terrain tracked vehicle for a potential requirement by the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) for the eventual replacement of its ageing Bv206 platforms, which were also manufactured by the company.
Darren Restarick, Asia-Pacific business development director at BAE Systems Hägglunds, said the market potential in the region for the company’s BvS10 and the latest BvS10 Beowulf vehicles is “significant” as the vehicles not only meet military requirements, but also address an increasing interest in disaster response and commercial applications.
“No one knows for sure, but globally there are probably around 6,000 to 7,000 vehicles left out of the 11,000 that we have produced over the years, with most of these being in the defence domain,” Restarick told Jane’s on 13 September. “Some of these vehicles are quite old, so there is always the prospect of a replacement programme.”
According to Jane’s World Armies, the RoKA has about 393 Bv206 all-terrain vehicles, with the latest batch of 93 vehicles understood to have been delivered around 2005, although it is likely that some of the older vehicles have been lost or written off through routine operations and training.
“One of the reasons that we are here is to explore that possibility,” said Restarick, “and another is to explore the possibility of how we can leverage on Korean industry to pursue local [and regional] opportunities. We have been very active in Southeast Asia and now we are looking to expand our presence in other Asian regions.”
“As far as we know, there are no programmes to date but we are looking at the region [in terms of] the future to see where the opportunities are,” he said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Sep 18. Ammo resupply vehicles join SPHs gifted from US on way to Brazil. The 40 M992A2 ammunition resupply vehicles granted by the United States to Brazil as ‘excess defense articles’ (EDAs) will arrive between 15 October and 15 November, the Brazilian Army has told Jane’s . The former US Army vehicles, which were previously stored at Sierra Army Depot, have since 13 September begun the process of being shipped from Pensacola, Florida, to Paranaguá in Brazil, together with 56 M109A5 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPHs). Several M109A5s will be used as a source of spare parts. The vehicles will be then moved to the Brazilian Army 5th Military Region facilities for maintenance work prior to being distributed to self-propelled artillery units. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Sep 18. RoKA unveils 4×4 K-153C ATGM carrier. The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has unveiled a new anti-tank guided weapon carrier at the DX Korea 2018 exhibition. The K-153C ATGW carrier was introduced in 2017 as part of the service’s ongoing tactical vehicle fleet recapitalisation efforts, which include replacing the army’s ageing K-131 (Kia Motors KM420) light utility vehicles and K-311A1 (Kia Motors KM450) cargo trucks with a more survivable and agile multirole platform that can be readily configured for a variety of missions. The 5.7 tonne vehicle – which is operated by a crew of four including the driver, commander, gunner, and loader – is based on the standard wheelbase version of Kia Motors’ Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) and measures 5 m long, 2.2 m wide, and 2 m high.
The primary armament of the K-153C is a roof-mounted twin mount for the indigenous Raybolt anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system and its associated Observation and Launch Unit (OLU) – a target acquisition device equipped with a day/night thermal sight. The weapon has been developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and manufactured by LIG Nex1 to replace the RoKA and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC) BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked and Wire-guided) missiles.
Jane’s understands from a RoKA spokesperson that the fire-and-forget capability of the Raybolt ATGM increases the K-153C vehicle’s lethality and survivability as it carries a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge that can defeat up to 900 mm of rolled homogeneous steel under explosive reactive armour protection. The vehicle carries up to four ready-to-fire Raybolt missiles in their launch tubes in its rear cargo bay. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Sep 18. North Korea parades latest self-propelled howitzers, missile carriers. North Korea displayed what appear to be a new tracked self-propelled gun-howitzer (SPGH) and a new missile carrier in a parade held in Pyongyang on 9 September to mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s founding. The SPGH, nine units of which were paraded at the event, has a similar layout to most modern SPGHs. It is not clear where the chassis, turret, and ordnance of the system are derived from. The ordnance bears some resemblance to the 2A64 152mm weapon from the Soviet-made 2S19 MSTA-S SPGH, or the 2A64 weapon from the MSTA-B towed gun-howitzer, but its recoil system (buffer and recuperator) as well as muzzle brake are of a different design. The turret bears some resemblance to the Chinese PZL-45 and the Iranian Raad-2 SPGH, although this is only superficial. It is also unclear where the chassis has been derived from and whether it is of indigenous design. The North Korean military also displayed nine units of what appears to be a new missile carrier, the chassis of which appears to be based on the M2010 6?6 armoured personnel carrier. An eight-round inclined missile launcher is mounted on the vehicle and encapsulated in a multifaceted turret. Imagery made available by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows that the vehicle’s turret roof is raised to allow the missiles to fire. The appearance of the missile containers is similar to those of multipurpose missile systems such as the Chinese Red Arrow 10 (HJ-10) and the Israeli Spike NLOS. The capabilities of the missile system carried by the vehicle were not disclosed. North Korea’s military parade was described in media reports as “low key” because it did not feature any long-range missiles, including the Hwaseong-14 and Hwaseong-15 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that Pyongyang paraded for the first time in February. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
17 Sep 18. RoKA unveils K600 combat engineer vehicle. The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) debuted its new K600 combat engineer vehicle (CEV) at the DX Korea 2018 land forces exhibition held in Goyang from 12–16 September, with one example being showcased to the public during daily mobility demonstrations at the event. Developed and manufactured by South Korean land vehicles defence prime Hyundai Rotem to meet the specific requirements of the RoKA, the K600 is also known by its development name of Korean combat engineer vehicle (KCEV) and is based on a similar chassis found on the in-service K1 armoured recovery vehicle (ARV), which supports the K1 and K2 main battle tanks (MBTs). The new K600 CEV is designed to facilitate movement and support of friendly forces by performing a wide range of battlefield construction and demolition tasks, including clearing battlefield obstacles and mines, conducting breaching operations, and preparing positions for artillery and combat vehicles.
According to specifications provided by Hyundai Rotem, the K600 CEV is based on the K1A1 MBT chassis and has a combat weight of approximately 62 tonnes. It is powered by a 1,200hp diesel engine, enabling it to attain a maximum road speed of up to 60km/h.
The vehicle is operated by a two-person crew seated in a protected cabin at the front left side of the vehicle, with the driver positioned at the front and the commander to the immediate rear. It is equipped with Pearson Engineeringʼs Full Width Mine Plough (FWMP) that can clear mines to a maximum depth of 0.3 m. It is also fitted with the company’s Magnetic Signature Duplicator (MSD), which is designed to neutralise anti-tank mines fitted with advanced fuzes, as well as with the Obstacle Marking System (OMS), which dispenses rods to mark a safe path for friendly troops and vehicles. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
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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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