Bushmaster Copperhead Utility Vehicle Launched Vehicle at Eurosatory

Thales is pleased to announce the launch of its armoured combat support vehicle, known as Bushmaster Copperhead, at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, France. This Utility or ‘Ute’, to use the Australian slang, is a 4-wheel drive cab chassis protected logistic vehicle that can carry a 4,000 kg load on its 9.4m2 tray. It also provides crew the protection, mobility and combat flexibility to fulfil the ever growing mission needs in demanding situations encountered by military forces around the world.

The Bushmaster Copperhead is the latest addition to the Bushmaster Family of Vehicles (FOV), and uses the same single shell V-shaped hull to provide protection against mine blast and improvised explosive devices (IED). This technology is enhanced by upgradeable ballistic protection options to the crew cabin and a protection system already operationally proven in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A cruising speed of 100 km/h, maximum range of 800 km, high clearance for obstacles and river crossings, tight turning circle, plus the capacity to go off road in all conditions, give Bushmaster Copperheads the ability to safely carry personnel, supplies and equipment to any frontline in any environment.

However, what makes the vehicle truly unique is the combination of protection systems and tactical mobility while carrying a substantial load.

Backed by an international supply chain, mechanical components are selected for their global availability, and are common with Bushmaster while providing Thales the ability to offer worldwide Through Life Support (TLS). Thales is always looking at innovative support packages to reduce the customer's risk while tailoring TLS packages to meet the their specific needs.

The Copperhead marks a significant achievement for Thales Australia’s design and construction team.The latest addition to the Bushmaster family of vehicles offers enhanced safety features while increasing the operational capability of the armed forces.

Background Information

The Bushmaster Family of Vehicles

The Thales Bushmaster Family of Vehicles (FOV) are modular-designed armoured vehicles offering high levels of protected mobility for combat, combat support and combat service support troops.

Their fully integrated protection, based on a monocoque hull, makes the Bushmaster FOV highly mobile while providing occupant protection from small arms, mine blast and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.

The vehicles are operationally combat-proven, highly capable and affordable. They offer greatly enhanced protection, mobility, mission performance, reliability, mission flexibility and operational sustainability.

The adaptability of the vehicles enables system integrated approach to further modular protection and upgrades enhancements, as well as remote weapons stations, electronic warfare protection devices, and combat and control systems.

Thales has worked closely with end users to produce a single platform that can be adapted into different applications to support a wide range of operational roles.

Current variants of the Bushmaster FOV already in operation around the world include:

-- Patrol Vehicle (Troop Carrier)
-- Command Vehicle
-- Assault Pioneer Vehicle
-- Ambulance
-- Direct Fire Support Weapons Vehicle
-- Mortar variant
-- Copperhead
-- FireKing

The Copperhead is an armoured combat support vehicle and, is the newest addition to the Bushmaster FOV. The cab chassis 4 x 4 logistic vehicles variant is designed to meet the ever growing operational requirements for protected mobility of not only the crew but also the cargo. It can carry loads up to 4,000kg while still offering the mobility and protection of the Bushmaster FOV.

Also part of the range is the FireKing, a purpose-built fire fighting vehicle. It offers the world’s only crew survival module in the event of the vehicle being engulfed in flames, plus unrivalled protection and mobility compared to commercial fire fighting vehicles. It is currently in service with fire fighters in Australia.

The Bushmaster FOV mechanical components are selected for their global availability and supportability, which gives Thales the ability to offer worldwide Through Life Support (TLS). Thales is always looking at innovative support packages to reduce the customer's risk while tailoring TLS packages to meet the customer's specific needs.

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.

Thales Australia is the leading defence systems and engineering company in Australia and is also present in civil sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing 3,700 people in over 35 sites around the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues in 2007 amounting to over AUD1 billion.