14 Nov 02. Alvis intends to focus its bid for the Netherlands Infantry Fighting Vehicle around the Alvis Hägglunds CV90. Warrior, which had also been shortlisted by the Dutch authorities, will not be pursued for this requirement.
The reasoning is that the Alvis Group wishes to put its best, combined resources behind one bid for the benefit of the customer. CV90 in the configuration currently being delivered to Switzerland represents a closer match than the Warrior to the Dutch requirement. Hägglunds and Alvis Vickers will work together to optimise the CV90 for the Netherlands programme.
9 Oct 02. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $19.4m order from the U.S. Army’s TACOM/ARDEC Picatinny Arsenal for the production of 56 reactive armor vehicle sets and 170 partial sets for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The contract also includes funding for the qualification and first-article testing of a product upgrade to further improve crew and vehicle survivability over the current design. Work will be completed by January 30, 2004.
9 Oct 02. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD – News), received a sole-source $7.2m contract award from U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for production of the STTRIKER 40 (MK47) 40mm Grenade Machine Gun system.
15 Nov 02. The AMOS (Advanced MOrtar System) from Patria Hägglunds (jointly owned by Finnish Patria and Alvis Hägglunds of Sweden) has been shortlisted as a candidate for the Future Combat Systems (FCS) mortar in the United States. AMOS performance fulfils all the user requirements, as defined by the U.S. Army for the FCS mortar.
Oct 02. General Dynamics Canada has announced its latest compact Mil-Spec AMLCD Video Display designed specifically for applications with space and weight constraints. It has a flexible configuration that enables the controls to be mounted on the bezel of the 5.5 inch diagonal display head, or mounted separately if required, making it ideal for retrofitting into already tight military vehicles. Mated to a thermal sensor or colour camera, this display can provide enhanced situational awareness without obscuring other instruments in the cabin.
25 Nov 02. Simula Inc. (AMEX:SMU – News) has received an order from Textron Systems to produce lightweight ceramic/composite applique armor kits. These armor kits will be employed on the U.S. Army’s M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), also known as the Guardian. The production order is for 25 armor kits with a contract value of approximately $1.375m. The contract includes options for 24 additional kits, which could bring the total value of the contract up to $2.75m. Production begins in the fourth quarter of 2002 and is expected to be completed in 2003.
27 Nov 02. Thomson Prometric are offering the press an opportunity to visit the nearby Thomson Prometric test centre for a hands-on experience of the new video tests. Which include video-technology to simulate actual on-road driving scenes and test learners’ ability to anticipate dangerous situations on December 3rd. The application also has many other potential uses in the wider automotive field – in measuring the skills of all employees from the shop floor to the dealer showroom for example.