OUVS DOWN-SELECT FOLLOWING PQQ

16 Sep 08. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the MoD SUV IPT made a down-select to six contenders for each of the two Operational Utility Vehicle System (OUVS) Requirement, Heavy and Light following the recent PQQ. There is an OUVS Industry Day on September 22nd where no doubt this will be confirmed in detail.

BATTLESPACE understands that the following vehicles were selected:

HEAVY

General Dynamics UK – Duro 3(P)
International Defense – MxT
Lockheed Martin
Mercedes – UNIMOG
RENAULT – Sherpa 4×4
THALES – Bushmaster, Copperhead

LIGHT

BABCOCK – HMT variant
International Defense – MxT
IVECO – LMV
General Dynamics UK – Eagle IV
Lockheed Martin
Mercedes – ‘G’ WAGEN
RENAULT – Sherpa 4×4

Among the contenders which did not make the cut were believed to be BAE Systems with an RG31 variant, Land Rover with 4×4 and 6×6 Defenders and Supacat.

At the January Industry Day, Mrs Annelies Look, Project Manager OUVS then gave a Project Overview. Major Paul Loader, Directorate of Equipment Capability in the MOD, then outlined the requirements for the new fleet of vehicles which will take the British Armed Forces for the next twenty five years up to 2030 at the earliest. Key User Requirements include:

1. Larger cab areas to accommodate the 95th percentile soldier/5th percentile female soldiers and their equipment.
2. A reduction in the vehicle variants – no more than 2-3 variants should be offered.
3. New safety and emission specifications to include extra crashworthiness and fewer emissions.
4. Vehicles to be ‘fitted for’ not ‘with’ physical protection such as armour. Crew compartment protection is the minimum requirement.
5. A payload which does not include mission support equipment (such as protection) – to position OUVS to fill the payload requirement below the Support Vehicle fleet. This would give useable payload with all mission equipment fitted of 4-4.5 tonnes at the top end and 2-3 tonnes at the lower end.
6. The vehicles would be NVG capable with 24/7 capability. An NVG compatible dashboard is required.
7. A NATO Standard pallet would have to be carried.
8. Airportability by C130/A400M was mandated.
9. The ability to operate with runflat tyres.
10. Given the large amount of sophisticated electronic equipment including BOWMAN radios and IED detectors, the vehicle would be ESM optimised to prevent reduce interference. ECM fits would be GFE by the MoD, but the ability fit ECM is mandated.
11. The vehicles must have good cross-country capability – electric drive has been ruled out at this stage.
12. Alternator and power requirements must accommodate 24/7 usage of a number of electronic systems – outline continuous power requirements have been set.
13. Bidders should look at powered trailers or the addition of an additional axle to provide extra space and payload without reducing mobility.
14. The vehicle should be capable of a Battlefield Mission of up to 96 hours.

All this would have to be achieved at the same budget as 2003 and could involve up to 16,000 vehicles. The motorbike fleet is being renewed through another project.

An Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be issued in 2009 and a Design Authority for the current fleet established prior to any upgrades. Main Gate is expected in 2012.