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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 Millbrookâs remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
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03 Jun 10. Oshkosh Defense received an undefinitized award valued at more than $67m to incorporate configuration changes to more than 420 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) variants for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The SOCOM-specific vehicle configuration changes will be cut in on Oshkosh manufacturing lines in August 2010. M-ATV SOCOM variants with these configuration changes are scheduled to be delivered between September and November 2010. Oshkosh engineers have been working in tandem with SOCOM to develop an M-ATV variant to meet their unique mission needs. The M-ATV SOCOM variant features a modified cargo deck, intended to accept specialized equipment based on the requirements of each mission, as well as larger front windscreens for increased visibility. The rear storage is accessible through an armored cargo access hatch in the passenger capsule, which can seat five while operating a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) or four with a gunner.
“The M-ATV SOCOM variant will give Special Forces the life-saving protection capabilities and superior off-road mobility that already have benefited U.S. operations in Afghanistan, in addition to delivering design changes specific to SOCOM’s needs,” said Ken Juergens, Oshkosh Corporation vice president and general manager, Defense – Joint Programs. “This new variant is a part of our continuous effort to expand our M-ATV family of vehicles to best serve the needs of the Warfighter and leverage fleet commonality.”
04 Jun 10. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation has developed a second-generation explosive-removing robot. The Snow Leopard incorporates self-action and running capabilities and provides portability, flexibility and availability in a wide range of combat operations, according to eng.chinamil.com.cn. The Snow Leopard also features a replaceable mechanical hand that is designed to grab heavy and explosive objects on the ground with multiple flexibility degrees and greater clamping strength. The hand can snatch and carry a wide range of objects from a mobile phone to a 10kg iron block. (Source: armytechnology.com)
03 Jun 10. The Global Combat Systems sector of Britain’s BAE Systems will reveal the new Armadillo concept of its CV90 armoured combat vehicle family at the Eurosatory 2010 trade show outside Paris. A glimpse of the CV90 Armadillo, which BAE Systems will unveil later this month at Eurosatory 2010. The latest iteration in a vehicle line that has won more than 1,100 orders, CV90 Armadillo is intended to bring a high level of flexibility in payload and battlefield utility to a new range of vehicles using common CV90 components, according to the company.
“This is a concept of a flexible family of vehicles of modular type built around the CV90 platform,” said Hakan Karlsson, vice president of marketing communications for BAE Global Combat Systems in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. An ideal armored combat vehicle, Karlsson said, offers a balance between high mobility, high payload and extremely high protection; should have a practical and effective interface for digitally equipped soldiers and the digital battlespace; should be relia