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/

——————————————————————

Mar 10. Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV): Premature Announcement. During the Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan (Item 1) it was announced that 200 new patrol vehicles were to be procured. The Defence Secretary was expected to announce “within weeks” a £100m investment in British-built vehicles.
Comment: The Downing Street ‘spin machine’ appeared to fly out of control on this occasion. The LPPV requirement for up to 400 vehicles was announced in the Contracts Bulletin of 25 Feb 09. The vehicles are to be “production ready” in 2010, for delivery into service in 2011. Trials of the short-listed vehicles are taking place at Millbrook. LPPV are to replace in-service platforms based on the Snatch Land Rover. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/10, 08 Mar 09)

10 Mar 10. The 2010 MaxxForce® 7 V-8 turbodiesel charged into the spotlight this week as Navistar unveiled the new engine at the National Truck Equipment Association’s (NTEA) Work Truck Show in St. Louis, Mo. The powerful 6.4-liter MaxxForce 7 includes a new rugged 300-horsepower model that offers medium truck owners outstanding fuel economy and low overall cost of ownership. It combines a 28,000-psi (1,900 bar) high-pressure common-rail fuel system, dual sequential turbocharger system and a high strength compacted graphite iron (CGI) block to power all standard-cab models of International® DuraStar® Class 6/7 commercial trucks and the new International® TerraStar™ Class 4/5 commercial trucks. Four available ratings range from 220-300 horsepower and 560-660 lb.-ft. torque. The MaxxForce 7-powered TerraStar will be matched with an Allison 1000 transmission for optimum power output. “This V-8 marks one of the most significant product upgrades in our history as we met the market’s challenge for big power from an efficient, reliable and durable platform,” said Jim Hebe, Navistar senior vice president, North American sales operations. “Customers whose business involves pickup and delivery, towing and recovery, landscape or emergency vehicles such as ambulances, will find the MaxxForce 7 to be the perfect fit for their operations with true commercial vehicle power, durability and capability.” For higher performance and increased durability, an improved air-management strategy includes dual sequential turbochargers and a dual-path exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling system. The smaller, primary turbo responds quickly for immediate take-off at low engine speeds and the larger, secondary turbo provides peak power at higher speeds and on steep grades. Free-wheel turbo design protects against vibrations for improved durability. Dual-path EGR cooling provides cooler EGR in a robust, solidly mounted cast-aluminum housing that suspends critical components to resist vibration and increase reliability. A floating-core EGR cooler design allows for thermal expansion, which significantly extends system performance and life.

10 Mar 10. Nexter has teamed with Volvo to offer its Véhicule Blindé Infanterie de Combat (VBCI) fighting vehicle in Sweden’s competition for new armored vehicles, Chairman Philippe Burtin of the French land systems company said March 10. “We made an offer this week,” Burtin