The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £45m contract to the Supacat-Babcock industry alliance for over 140 further Jackal weapons-mounted 4×4 patrol vehicles to support operations in Afghanistan. The new order will bring the total number of Jackal vehicles in service with the UK Armed Forces to over 400, in 3 configurations; Jackal 1, Jackal 2 and this latest improved variant, Jackal 2a.

Production of the Jackal 2a vehicle uplift commenced in February 2010, immediately following on from final delivery of a UOR contract placed with the Supacat-Babcock alliance in April 2009 for approximately 120 Jackal 2 and more than 70 new 6×6 ‘Coyote’ Tactical Support Vehicle (Light) (TSV(L)). This contract has been completed successfully to a high quality standard and on time.

The upgraded Jackal 2a is an enhanced version of the successful Jackal 2 with the design changes driven by direct operational feedback. The primary change is the introduction of a new cab design with integrated mine blast protection which simplifies production and improves the performance over that offered by the previous system fitted to Jackal 2.

Dubbed `Jackal` by UK Armed Forces, it has proved its supreme versatility as a weapons-mounted light patrol vehicle in Afghanistan, combining speed and maneovrability with unparalleled cross-country performance over the region’s harsh terrain.

Supacat and Babcock formed an industry alliance to ensure UK Armed Forces receive the best equipment in the shortest possible timescale. Supacat is prime contractor and as the design authority is responsible for design, development, prototyping, integration and overall programme management. Babcock is responsible for detailed production planning, purchasing and manufacture at their Devonport facility.

Nick Ames said, “This order is a further endorsement of the performance of Jackal on operations in Afghanistan and of the agility of the Supacat-Babcock alliance to deliver against demanding timescales”.

Roger Gillespie, Equipment Solutions Managing Director, Babcock, said “The Jackal vehicle has been a resounding success and these additional Jackal 2a’s will further enhance the operational capabilities of our troops in theatre. The ability of the Supacat-Babcock Alliance to consistently deliver these vehicles also provides military planners with assurance of our continued support.”

 

 

Supacat is showing its all-new, all-British SPV400 contender for the UK Ministry of Defence’s competition for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) Programme at DVD, Millbrook.  Last week it submitted its formal bid for the Urgent Operational Requirement for an initial batch of 200 vehicles for service entry in late 2011.  The SPV400 is on display on Supacat’s stand OR9.

Recent blast test results have underwritten Supacat’s philosophy of future proofing the SPV400 design by aiming for protection levels above the LPPV requirement to provide unprecedented levels of protection and mobility for a vehicle in its 7.5 ton class.  The SPV400 combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including a protected all composite crew pod and V-shaped hull.  Its exceptional all terrain, high mobility performance is comparable to the Supacat-designed Jackal, and it has the agility to manoeuvre in tight urban environments.

UK companies, Supacat and NP Aerospace, are respectively world leaders in high mobility, all terrain vehicles and in composite armour protection systems.  NP Aerospace designed the SPV400’s composite crew pod and protection system with access to the UK’s classified armour technology.  The materials used offer protection from a range of threats and at much lower weight than a traditional steel design.

Devon based Supacat and NP Aerospace have formed an Alliance Agreement under which volume production will be conducted through the Alliance at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility.   Supacat and NP Aerospace have proven track records in supplying and supporting vehicles in service with British Forces in Afghanistan, with Supacat responsible for Jackal and Coyote and NP Aerospace for Mastiff and Ridgback.

“With NP Aerospace, Supacat has purpose designed the SPV400 with crew survivability built in from the outset to provide troops with the protection and mobility they need against the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

A modular and future-proofed design allows the SPV400 to be upgraded to meet evolving threats and requirements.  The V shaped hull protects the crew in an under-belly mine strike scenario, while the modular approach enables the SPV400 to be repaired in theatre following mine blast incidents by replacing the damaged module(s).   

The selection of the all-British SPV400 for LPPV would strengthen the UK’s innovation and engineering skills base and support manufacturing jobs, sustaining between 1000 and 1200 jobs throughout the UK.  Over 90% of the SPV400 supply chain is UK based.

All Intellectual Property Rights for the SPV400 are UK based with the automotive solution residing with Supacat and the protection system with NP Aerospace.  The Design Authority is held by Supacat, which guarantees the UK retains full control over future design upgrades and the SPV400 is free from US ITAR restrictions.  This also ensures potential export revenues will be retained in the UK.

 

 

Today Supacat is submitting its formal bid in response to the UK Ministry of Defence’s competition for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) Programme, offering the all-new, all British Supacat Protected Vehicle (SPV) 400.  The submission coincides with vehicle making its international show debut today at Eurosatory, Paris, 14-18 June.

 

The UK MoD had invited Supacat to participate in the competitive Tender for the LPPV Programme, which is being procured under an Urgent Operational Requirement for an initial batch of 200 vehicles to enter service in late  2011.  This invitation followed the purchase earlier this year by UK MoD of two SPV400 vehicles from Supacat as part of the ongoing risk reduction activity being undertaken with both bidders on the LPPV programme.

 

The SPV400 has been purpose designed to provide troops with the protection and mobility needed against the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).  The SPV400 combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including all composite protected crew pod and V-shaped hull.  It has exceptional all terrain high mobility performance, comparable to the Supacat designed Jackal and Coyote, and the agility to manoeuvre in tight urban environments.

 

 “The SPV400 offers protection levels way beyond those available in the 7.5 ton light patrol class.  With our protection partners, NP Aerospace, Supacat has designed a highly mobile vehicle with crew survivability built in from the outset”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

A modular and future-proofed design allows the SPV400 to be upgraded to meet new threats and requirements.  The V shaped hull will protect the crew in an under-belly mine strike scenario.  The modular approach will also enable the SPV400 to be repaired in theatre following mine blast incidents by replacing the damaged module(s).

“The modular approach reduces overall damage to the system and will allow LPPVs to be put back on the road quickly. With the SPV400, the MoD will not have to write a vehicle off each time there is a mine strike”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

The SPV400 is designed by Devon based Supacat, the world leader in high mobility, all terrain vehicles.  Its armour protection partner is Coventry based NP Aerospace, which has designed the composite crew pod and protection system with access to the UK’s classified armour technology.   Supacat and NP Aerospace have formed an Alliance Agreement under which volume production will be conducted through the Alliance at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility.   Supacat and NP Aerospace have proven track records in supplying and supporting vehicles in service with British Forces in Afghanistan, with Supacat responsible for Jackal and Coyote and NP Aerospace for Mastiff and Ridgback.

 

All Intellectual Property Rights for the SPV400 are UK based with the automotive solution residing with Supacat and the protection system with NP Aerospace.  The Design Authority is held by Supacat.  This means the UK retains full control over future design upgrades and the SPV400 is free from US ITAR restrictions.  Potential future export revenues will be retained in the UK.   The selection of the SPV400 for LPPV would strengthen the UK’s innovation and engineering skills base and support manufacturing jobs, sustaining between 1000 and 1200 jobs throughout the UK

 

 

Today Supacat is submitting its formal bid in response to the UK Ministry of Defence’s competition for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) Programme, offering the all-new, all British Supacat Protected Vehicle (SPV) 400.  The submission coincides with vehicle making its international show debut today at Eurosatory, Paris, 14-18 June.

 

The UK MoD had invited Supacat to participate in the competitive Tender for the LPPV Programme, which is being procured under an Urgent Operational Requirement for an initial batch of 200 vehicles to enter service in late  2011.  This invitation followed the purchase earlier this year by UK MoD of two SPV400 vehicles from Supacat as part of the ongoing risk reduction activity being undertaken with both bidders on the LPPV programme.

 

The SPV400 has been purpose designed to provide troops with the protection and mobility needed against the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).  The SPV400 combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including all composite protected crew pod and V-shaped hull.  It has exceptional all terrain high mobility performance, comparable to the Supacat designed Jackal and Coyote, and the agility to manoeuvre in tight urban environments.

 

 “The SPV400 offers protection levels way beyond those available in the 7.5 ton light patrol class.  With our protection partners, NP Aerospace, Supacat has designed a highly mobile vehicle with crew survivability built in from the outset”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

A modular and future-proofed design allows the SPV400 to be upgraded to meet new threats and requirements.  The V shaped hull will protect the crew in an under-belly mine strike scenario.  The modular approach will also enable the SPV400 to be repaired in theatre following mine blast incidents by replacing the damaged module(s).

“The modular approach reduces overall damage to the system and will allow LPPVs to be put back on the road quickly. With the SPV400, the MoD will not have to write a vehicle off each time there is a mine strike”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

The SPV400 is designed by Devon based Supacat, the world leader in high mobility, all terrain vehicles.  Its armour protection partner is Coventry based NP Aerospace, which has designed the composite crew pod and protection system with access to the UK’s classified armour technology.   Supacat and NP Aerospace have formed an Alliance Agreement under which volume production will be conducted through the Alliance at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility.   Supacat and NP Aerospace have proven track records in supplying and supporting vehicles in service with British Forces in Afghanistan, with Supacat responsible for Jackal and Coyote and NP Aerospace for Mastiff and Ridgback.

 

All Intellectual Property Rights for the SPV400 are UK based with the automotive solution residing with Supacat and the protection system with NP Aerospace.  The Design Authority is held by Supacat.  This means the UK retains full control over future design upgrades and the SPV400 is free from US ITAR restrictions.  Potential future export revenues will be retained in the UK.   The selection of the SPV400 for LPPV would strengthen the UK’s innovation and engineering skills base and support manufacturing jobs, sustaining between 1000 and 1200 jobs throughout the UK

 

British high mobility vehicle specialist, Supacat has been invited to tender in competition it’s all new, all British Supacat Protected Vehicle 400 series (SPV400) for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) Programme. Under an Urgent Operational Requirement the UK MoD is expected to order an initial batch of 200 vehicles to enter service in late 2011.

The receipt of the Invitation to Tender follows the purchase earlier this year by UK MoD of two SPV400 vehicles as part of its ongoing risk reduction activity on the LPPV programme.

Last week the SPV400 was subjected to a second round of blast tests as part of the vehicle’s development programme. The results underwrote Supacat’s philosophy of future proofing the SPV400 design by aiming for protection levels above those within the LPPV requirement. Further refinement of the design is taking place prior to another round of testing next month.

If the SPV400 is successful in winning in the competition we believe it will give British troops the protection and mobility they need against the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on operations in Afghanistan. It combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including all composite protected crew pod and V-shaped hull. It has exceptional all terrain high mobility performance, comparable to the Supacat designed Jackal, and the agility to manoeuvre in tight urban environments.

A modular and future-proofed design allows the SPV400 to be upgraded to meet new threats and requirements. The V shaped hull will protect the crew in an under-belly mine strike scenario. The modular approach will also enable the SPV400 to be repaired in theatre following mine blast incidents by replacing the damaged module(s).

“I am particularly pleased with the repair aspects of this testing as our offering has been designed to reduce through life costs by having the ability to be repaired in theatre. The modular and sacrificial approach reduces overall damage to the system and will allow LPPVs to be put back on the road quickly. With the SPV400, the MoD will not have to write a vehicle off each time there is a mine strike”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

The SPV400 is designed by Devon based Supacat, the world leader in high mobility, all terrain vehicles. Its armour protection partner is Coventry based NP Aerospace, which has designed the composite crew pod and protection system with access to the UK’s classified armour technology.
Supacat and NP Aerospace have formed an Alliance Agreement under which volume production will be conducted through the Alliance at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility. Supacat and NP Aerospace have proven track records in supplying and supporting vehicles in service with British Forces in Afghanistan, with Supacat responsible for Jackal and Coyote and NP Aerospace for Mastiff and Ridgback.

All Intellectual Property Rights for the SPV400 are UK based with the automotive solution residing with Supacat and the protection system with NP Aerospace. The Design Authority is held by Supacat. This means the UK retains full control over future design upgrades and the SPV400 is free from US ITAR restrictions. Potential future export revenues will be retained in the UK. The selection of the SPV400 for LPPV would strengthen the UK’s innovation and engineering skills base and support manufacturing jobs, sustaining between 1000 and 1200 jobs throughout the UK.