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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20 May 10. A competition to replace the British Army’s Snatch Land Rover armored vehicle has approached the end game after the issue of an invitation to tender to the two companies vying to secure the deal. Force Protection Europe with the Ocelot is head-to-head with the rival SPV400 vehicle offered by Supacat to supply an initial batch of 200 light protected patrol vehicles for troops operating in Afghanistan. The winning vehicle, being supplied as an urgent operational requirement, will offer troops better protection and greater mobility than the much-maligned Snatch machine. The invitations issued by the Ministry of Defence are scheduled to be returned in June, with a decision on a winning contractor expected in early autumn. The previous Labour Party administration was widely criticized by parliamentarians, the media and some in the military over its failure to replace a vehicle that was unable to provide adequate protection against roadside bombs in Afghanistan and Iraq, and has been blamed for a large number of British fatalities. A second batch of 200 vehicles is expected to be ordered once deliveries of the initial machines are under way. More orders may follow to replace other Land Rover variants in service with the British military. The MoD recently completed an evaluation of the two new vehicle designs and subsequently purchased a pair of machines from both manufacturers to continue trials and testing. (Source: Defense News)
18 May 10. CVR(T) Upgrade for U.K.? Sources close to BATTLESPACE suggest that the U.K. MoD is looking at an upgrade order for BAE Systems of Scimitar CVR(T) vehicles. The upgrade would require a new hull and upgraded suspension which BATTLESPACE understands was recently tested at the Leyland Technical Centre. The work would be carried out by DSG. BAE refused to comment.
11 May 10. HDT Inc, Hayes Diversified Technologies, was exhibiting at SOFEX. HDT is the technology leader in lightweight gas and heavy fuel powered vehicles and small engines. The Company’s long heritage as a motorcycle performance company and military supplier has provided the expertise necessary to build the world’s best tactical motorcycles, UTVs and small heavy fuel powered engines. HDT’s humble beginnings started over 43 years ago as a motorcycle tuner and small supplier of electronic components to the US Military. Eventually HDT would combine these areas of expertise to become the first supplier of military motorcycles to the US Army since WWII. Forever dedicated to improving motorcycle engine performance and obsessed with the superior capabilities of diesel powered engines, founder Fred Hayes devoted his efforts to develop a revolutionary diesel powered motorcycle engine with an unparalleled power to weight ratio. In 2001 he succeeded. The HDT M1030-M2 670cc JP8 is the latest incarnation of the superlative military motorcycle standing alone as the only military motorcycle capable of operating on JP8, JP5, JP4, AVTUR, JET-A1, Diesel and even Biodiesel. Evolved from HDT’s M1030-M1 originally developed and produced for the U.S. Marines in 2004, the M1030-M2 670cc JP8 utilizes HDT’s fourth generation heavy fuel motor