Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK
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.
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
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09 Feb 10. General Dynamics UK and the MoD’s Defence Support Group
(DSG) have signed a high-level agreement on the FRES Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme. The Memorandum of Understanding would see substantial work taking place at DSG’s Donnington facilities and become the basis for a long-term relationship in support of the UK’s defence industrial capabilities. The two companies have agreed to a mutual aim to transfer Assembly, Integration and Test for full rate production of the ASCOD SV, if General Dynamics is selected, from General Dynamics’s European production facilities to DSG. Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK, said: “This agreement builds on the strong working relationship between DSG and General Dynamics UK, as Bowman prime contractor and systems integrator, on the Army’s current fleet. It offers substantial value to the UK industrial base.” Archie Hughes, Chief Executive of DSG, said: “I very much welcome this agreement, which reflects the capabilities of DSG and its workforce. It would pair the skills of two of the UK’s leading Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) workforces, maintaining and enhancing the UK’s sovereign capability to develop and upgrade AFVs in the long term.” General Dynamics is offering ASCOD SV, the latest development of a proven European AFV family, for FRES SV. Designed to a rating of 42 tonnes and with a transmission rated at 45 tonnes, ASCOD SV offers excellent protection against current and future threats, a common base platform that fully meets the FRES SV requirement, and substantial growth potential for future enhancement.
05 Feb 10. The Bulgarian Army has received 25 SandCat vehicles from Plasan in cooperation with Oshkosh Defense. Plasan marketing and business development director Yaron Roded said the SandCat design was perfect for current peacekeeping and homeland security tasks, taking into account emerging threats while maintaining the required flexibility for off-road and on-road mission profiles. The SandCat is a powerful family of 4t-6t, automatic vehicles equipped with a 6.4l, V8 turbo diesel engine with 350hp output capable of reaching a maximum speed of 130km/h. Based on an upgraded commercial-off-the-shelf Ford F-Series 4×4 chassis and adapted by Oshkosh Defence for military use and equipped with Plasan advanced armour, the SandCat provides highest level of armoured protection for small platforms. The design of the vehicle features state-of-the-art ergonomics, integration of advanced electronic systems, safety systems and blast mitigation systems that significantly protect drivers and passengers against all types of mines and explosives. (Source: army-technology.com)
10 Feb 10. DRS Technologies, Inc. announced that U.S. military orders for its infrared Driver’s Vision Enhancers (DVEs) have reached $100m against a June 2009 contract. Contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) at Fort Monmouth, N.J. Contract covers orders from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Special Operations Command for the DVE Family of Systems (FOS). DRS DVEs use advanced infrared-imaging technology to help