MILITARY VEHICLE NEWS
—————————————————————————–
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.
http://www.millbrook.co.uk/
——————————————————————
10 Dec 08. The Pentagon is fast-tracking a multibillion-dollar competition to outfit ground forces in Afghanistan with new, off-road terrain vehicles that protect against rocket-propelled grenades and explosive devices. The military says it needs hybrid armored vehicles to provide the same type of protection as mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, while being far more agile, lighter and providing increased maneuverability to handle Afghanistan’s rocky terrain, according to a request for bids released late Monday. “This is a high priority accelerated acquisition in support of the global war on terror,” according to the Pentagon request, which means manufacturers would have to set aside other projects to meet the military’s demand as soon as possible. The first set of vehicles is expected to be delivered next fall. The Defense Department said it could buy between 2,080 and 10,000 of the so-called MRAP-All Terrain Vehicles for use by the Army and Marines Corps. Among the companies likely to compete for the contract are: the U.S. subsidiary of British defense conglomerate BAE Systems PLC, Lockheed Martin Corp., Humvee maker AM General and Navistar International Corp. The Pentagon has spent roughly $24bn so far on the current MRAP program. (Source: Military.com)
28 Nov 08. China unveils new self-propelled howitzer system. China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has completed the development of a new 122 mm full-tracked self-propelled howitzer (SPH) called the SH3 which is now being offered on the export market. The artillery system is based on a new full-tracked chassis, with the driver seated front left, to the right of a diesel powerpack, leaving the remainder of the chassis clear for the fighting compartment. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)
28 Nov 08. US offers armoured troop carrier loan to France. France and the United States are in advanced talks regarding a US offer to lend up to 100 RG-31 armoured troop carriers to French forces fighting in Afghanistan, the defence ministry in Paris said on 27 November. “Technical discussions on the actual version of the RG-31 on offer are under way between American and French officials on the ground in Afghanistan,” a senior aide at the French general staff told Jane’s. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)
28 November 2008. Croatia looks to increase AMV order. The Croatian Ministry of Defence (MORH) is expected to sign a contract for an additional 42 Patria Armoured Modular Vehicles (AMVs) – known in Croatia as 8×8 Borbeno Oklopno Vozilo (BOVs) – before the end of 2008. This new contract will bring the total number of vehicles ordered to 126 as originally planned. The initial contract, signed in October 2007, covered 84 vehicles in 8×8 BOV armoured personnel carrier (APC) and infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variants. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)
04 Dec 08. New BMP-2 IFV upgrade rolls out. Russia’s Kurganmashzavod has completed development of the latest upgrade for its Russian BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). The upgrade covers all three main areas of armour, mobility and firepower, and is designed to enable end