USA to Buy 1,930 Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit System IIs

While facing the continuous thread of IEDs(Improvised Exclusive Device) in Afghanistan USA is acquiring Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit System IIs (SPARKS IIs).

The Pentagon is going to buy 1,930 Pearson Engineering's Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit System IIs (SPARKS IIs), which will have a mine-roller capability that attaches to the front of armored vehicles, and will soon field them in Afghanistan.

The Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit (SPARK) is a  mine roller system which was designed to be attached on tactical wheeled platforms. The front roller consists of 2 roller banks on the left and right side of the vehicle, providing contact with the ground, causing IEDs to detonate on the roller. This forced as much of the blast down and away from the vehicle as possible, as opposed to underneath the vehicle.

Before SPARK, there was no mine roller kit available to Soldiers for a tactical wheeled vehicle platform.

In February 2009, an IED Roller Interface Bracket prototype for the RG-33 MRAP vehicle passed a fit test. In February just months after engineers and employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot started working on the project. The system allowed the fitting of the Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit (SPARK) to the RG-33 series of vehicles. Additionally, an improved SPARK, which was fielded to Afghanistan in January and Iraq in March, was developed, which included an additional third roller bank. The SPARK had been further improved for the Afghanistan terrain by allowing the driver to control the roller banks.

Source: 1.   Janes Defence
            2.   Global Security

Delivery of 10,000 MRAP in Iraq , Very Soon

The 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle is scheduled to be delivered to troops supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom Sept. 25 by Air Mobility Command Airmen.

MRAPs were introduced in 2007, and AMC Airmen have been working around-the-clock planning, coordinating and executing air transport missions to rush the lifesaving vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Using a variety of aircraft, including C-5 Galaxies, C-17 Globemaster IIIs and contracted AN-124s, AMC officials have transported nearly 3,000 -- roughly one third -- of the total number of MRAPs delivered to the warfighters.

MRAPs are constructed with V-shaped hulls and a raised chassis design to deflect underbelly blasts, and have proven to be lifesavers against improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and mines.

"Our Airmen are directly helping to keep our troops on the ground safer," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command. "I'm extremely proud of them and their efforts to speed the delivery of this lifesaving equipment to our forces."

The efforts of AMC's Airmen are part of a multiservice effort to quickly get the vehicles in the hands of troops on the ground. The Air Force was the primary delivery option for MRAPs until December, when the Navy also began transporting the vehicles.

"It's a great feeling to deliver MRAP vehicles to the (area of responsibility) because of the impact on safety it provides other servicemembers," said Master Sgt. Bill Lesage, a C-17 loadmaster with the 14th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. "At the end of a long duty day, you really feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that the MRAP is saving lives."

SA-manufactured Armoured Vehicle, New Version

BAE Systems South African business, Land Systems OMC, has launched the RG31 Mk6E, which would debut at the African Aerospace & Defence 2008 show in Cape Town on Wednesday. The RG31 Mk6E is the latest version of the company's explosive mine resistant personnel carrier RG series of vehicles, which are manufactured in Johannesburg. The RG31 is a 4x4 mine-protected vehicle with a V-shaped hull that protects the crew against anti piercing rifle fire, anti-tank mine detonations, and a number of improvised explosive devices. We are confident that this latest development, will further entrench our South African business as the world s leader in mine protected vehicle technology, said Land Systems South Africa MD Johan Steyn. Among the latest developments incorporated in the RG31 Mk6E were new anti-mine seats, which provide enhanced protection to the occupants from lumbar spinal injuries caused by the shock-waves associated with land mine detonations. The seats incorporate shock attenuation crushable elements developed at Land Systems OMC. Tests have shown that these absorb some of the vertical impulse associated with mine blasts, reducing the likelihood of injury during large landmine explosions. Earlier RG-series vehicles could also be equipped with the new seats. Land Systems OMC s RG-series of products have boosted South African exports by more than R3,5-billion, since the company received a Canadian armed forces order for RG31 Mk3 vehicles in 2003. Steadily increasing orders for vehicles, spares and support from new customers around the globe have also boosted exports. The RG series builds on the three decades of experience we have gained in South Africa, through vehicles such as the Casspir, Mamba and Mfezi. Its success is a result of our ongoing investment into ever improving the vehicle s protection levels. We achieve this by applying new concepts and designs influenced by customer and operator feedback and simulation, explained Steyn.

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.

Off-Road Prototype Vehicles Tested in Afghanistan

Recently, Soldiers from Combined Task Force Currahee test drove a new vehicle that could help alleviate maneuverability constraints in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is a country made of natural barriers like mountains and valleys, which make it difficult for Coalition forces to move through the countryside.

The Enhanced Logistic Off-Road Vehicle may be the answer to navigating Afghanistan's rugged terrain.

Three prototypes are currently being tested. The terrain in Afghanistan is made up of rocks, which make supply routes, evacuation and basic ground transportation difficult and slow.

All three prototypes are currently in Afghanistan so Soldiers can learn how they handle in the terrain. Over the last year, the ELSORVs went through operational assessments in the U.S. and now they are here for a real-world assessment by Soldiers who could end up using the vehicles.

ELSORVs can carry 2,700 pounds, and have modified Humvee engines that can conquer approach angles of 90 degrees and climb slopes at 80 degrees.

The ELSORVs allows Soldiers to go over obstacles without getting hung up on the undercarriage. The vehicle can go 90 miles per hour safely on a hard surface.

MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Vehicle ...

The acronym MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) has its origins in a US Marine Corps (USMC) programme established in November 2006 to deliver a vehicle for use in Operation 'Iraqi Freedom' (OIF) and Operation 'Enduring Freedom' (OEF) that offered troops on the ground higher levels of protection from emerging threats than their then current uparmoured versions of the beleaguered High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee).

From its beginnings as a far lower-profile Marine Corps project, the programme, in fewer than 12 months, had grown exponentially to become the US Department of Defense's third largest acquisition programme behind missile defence and the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Such is the global profile of the MRAP programme that it has understandably received extensive coverage across the media. That coverage has seldom been as accurate, informed or as impartial as it could and perhaps should have been.

Prior to the original indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) MRAP contracts that were issued to nine contractors in January 2007, both the US Marine Corps and army had in fact procured, and were using on deployed operations, vehicles of types that are now referred to as MRAPs.

The US Army's preferred choice had been the BAE Systems Land Systems OMC RG-31, and from an initial purchase of three Mk 3 vehicles in 2003, the service would eventually receive 468 vehicles (Mk 3 and Mk 5). The final pre-MRAP delivery order was placed in January 2007 for 169 Mk 5 vehicles. All US Army RG-31 contract awards are to BAE Systems' North American licensee, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada.

The leading provider of MRAP-type vehicles to US armed forces before the MRAP ID/IQ contract awards was Force Protection. This company had supplied around 400 of its Cougars (4 x 4 and 6 x 6), plus 90 of its Buffalo dedicated mine/improvised explosive device (IED) route-clearance vehicles to the army and marines before January 2007 and, according to the company, these had totalled in excess of 2 million combat hours in Afghanistan and Iraq and had survived at least 2,000 blast attacks. The Buffalo was first deployed in Iraq by the US Army in July 2003, while the Cougar was first used by the USMC in Iraq in October 2004.

The MRAP ID/IQ contracts initially called for four vehicles (two each of Category 1 and Category 2 MRAP designs) from each of the nine contractors involved - BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems (now BAE Systems Mobility and Protection Systems); BAE Systems Ground Systems; Force Protection Inc; General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada; General Purpose Vehicles; International Military and Government LLC (now Navistar Defense LLC); Oshkosh Truck Corporation (now Oshkosh Defense); Protected Vehicles Inc; Textron Marine and Land Systems.

The following vehicles were eliminated from the competition: the Textron M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), the Oshkosh-offered Thales Bushmaster, the GPV offering, and following small low-rate initial production (LRIP) orders: the PVI-offered Rafael Golan and Oshkosh (PVI-designed) Alpha, would all be eliminated from the competition. The bulk of the 60 Golans and 100 Alphas ordered have since been declared excess property by the marines and will be employed by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

First Unmanned Surface Vehicle to US Navy for Littoral Combat Ship(LCS)

General Dynamics Robotic Systems delivered the first 11-meter “Fleet” class Anti-Submarine Warfare Unmanned Surface Vehicle (ASW USV) to the U.S. Navy on May 2 as part of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mission package. General Dynamics Robotic Systems is a part of General Dynamics Land Systems (Sterling Heights, Michigan), a business unit of General Dynamics.

General Dynamics has worked in partnership with a Navy team that includes PEO-Littoral & Mine Warfare (LMW), PMS-420 LCS Mission Package Systems, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego (SSC San Diego) and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) to design, integrate, test and deliver the USV.

A second USV will be delivered to Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, in June. These USVs are the first unmanned surface vehicles to ever receive hull numbers from the Navy, and will be known as “11MUC0601” and “11MUC0602,” respectively.

LCS is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The ASW USV operates and supports payloads and sensor systems, including an unmanned towed-array sonar system and an active multi-static offboard low-frequency sonar system. The General Dynamics-designed vehicle provides a high-speed, high-payload capable craft with excellent sea keeping characteristics, along with a state-of-the-art unmanned navigation and autonomous control capability that includes 360-degree situational awareness.

The USV has a payload capacity of 5,000 pounds, beam length of 11.2 feet and is capable of operating continuously for 24 hours or more. During high-speed transits the vehicle can reach speed of 35 knots or higher. A government-developed bow latch will launch and recover the unmanned surface vehicle from the LCS. As a semi-autonomous vehicle, the USV is capable of way-point navigation, sea keeping and station keeping.

To fulfill its mission, the LCS-based ASW USV performs the Maritime Shield, Protected Passage and Port Reconnaissance ASW missions to protect Navy surface ship battle groups.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 84,000 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.

General Dynamics' Piranha V Light Armoured Vehicle Makes FRES Provisional Selection

General Dynamics' Piranha V light armoured vehicle has been provisionally selected ahead of Artec's Boxer and Nexter's Vehicule Blind� de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) to meet the British Army's Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) Utility Vehicle requirement.

A written statement from the UK Defence Equipment and Support Minister Baroness Taylor described the Piranha V as the "preferred design" but only a "provisional selection".

Accordingly, questions remain over exactly what work needs to be done to get beyond the provisional selection. A statement from General Dynamics UK noted that the company "will now enter negotiations with the MoD to determine the scope of development work required".

The competition to select a Utility Vehicle Integrator is ongoing and - until that decision is made - questions also remain over the exact build strategy to get the vehicle into service, with teams from Artec, BAE Systems, EADS, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Nexter are all vying for the role.

As the MoD's announcement stopped short of a production order, industry executives and UK MoD sources told Jane's they feared that the FRES programme had fallen victim to the UK defence "budget crunch".

Navistar Defense to Provide Tactical Vehicles

Thousands of trucks from Navistar Defense, LLC will support rebuilding and security efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq as the U.S. Army today awarded Navistar Defense a multi-year contract valued at nearly $1.3 billion.

The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command awarded Navistar Defense a follow-on contract to provide Medium Tactical Vehicles and spare parts to the Afghanistan National Police, Afghan National Army and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. Previously known as International Military and Government, LLC, Navistar Defense is an affiliate of Navistar International Corporation.

Under the multi-year contract, Navistar will supply tactical vehicles built on Navistar’s severe service International® 7000 Series platform. It follows a $430 million contract awarded in 2005 to Navistar by TACOM for more than 2,900 vehicles and spare parts.

The three-year contract is valued at $1,282,939,624 for 7,072 vehicles and parts. Approximately half of the order will be delivered during the first year of the contract with nearly 1,000 units expected to be delivered in fiscal year 2008.

Navistar will supply several vehicle variants, including General Troop Transporter, POL vehicles (petroleum, oil and lubricant), water tankers, wreckers and hazardous material trucks. In addition, Navistar will supply all required spare parts necessary to support several years of scheduled maintenance.

Navistar and teammate BAE Systems unveiled their Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) design in February. JLTV is the U.S. multi-service initiative for fielding a family of future light tactical vehicles. BAE Systems and Navistar announced their collaboration in October 2007 to take advantage of combined capabilities that most effectively support the JLTV program.

MineWolf Mine Clearance Machines, Procured by UAE

The Land Forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a multi-million euro contract with BAL Bauer Industries Ltd. for the procurement of large-scale mine clearance machines “MineWolf”. The purchase follows extensive trials of the MineWolf in harsh desert conditions in the Gulf region in 2006, and includes special modifications for lifting mine fragments buried in sandy terrain to the surface.

BAL Bauer Industries Ltd., who acts as General Contractor for this contract, and MineWolf Systems were selected based on their superior technology, extensive regional experience and military know-how. The systems were delivered at the beginning of 2008 six month after contract signing and the training of the UAE personnel is being carried out at the present time.

It is the first army in the Middle East to procure the MineWolf.

The MineWolf is a tracked mine clearance machine implementing an interchangeable tiller or flail system. It has been proven effective against anti-personnel (AP) and heavy anti-tank (AT) mines in many mine-affected countries including Sudan, Jordan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia (humanitarian projects). The system is capable of clearing up to 30,000 square metres per day.