The all-new, all-British Supacat SPV400, which is competing to win a UK Ministry of Defence £200 million Urgent Operational Requirement for a Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) to replace the Snatch Land Rover, last week completed a fourth round of blast tests. These tests were conducted despite the LPPV bid having already been submitted to the MoD.

Previous blast tests have already proven the SPV400 protection levels exceed the stringent requirements of the LPPV Programme however, whilst protection levels cannot be revealed for security reasons, these latest tests have successfully achieved yet more.  All tests conducted on the SPV400 have used the same automotive and protected composite crew pod systems to ensure consistent test data is gathered.  The vehicle was repaired quickly between each blast underlining Supacat’s modular philosophy with regards to its ability to be repaired in theatre following an event. All tests have been conducted at UK test ranges under MoD guidelines, underscoring the fact that all the SPV400 Intellectual Property Rights for both automotive and protection solutions are UK based, residing respectively with Devon based Supacat and Coventry based NP Aerospace.

“Supacat and our Alliance partner, NP Aerospace, have further demonstrated our commitment to developing the absolute best lightweight protected vehicle in the world. We have already reached the levels of protection asked for by the LPPV programme yet have chosen to continue our development to strive further still and these tests have proven that by the SPV400 withstanding some simply ‘massive’ explosions”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat Ltd.  “The Supacat/NP Aerospace team believe it offers the best and a British solution – the SPV400.  Its selection 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. The SPV400 is an entirely British Export and will have a potentially huge international market should it succeed in the LPPV competition”.

Purpose designed to protect British troops from the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices in Afghanistan and perform patrol tasks in areas inaccessible to heavier vehicles, the Supacat SPV400 offers unprecedented levels of mobility and protection.  This combination breaks new ground in military vehicle technology for a light patrol vehicle in the 7.5 ton class.  Carrying a crew of six (2 +4), the SPV400 combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including a protected all composite crew pod and V-shaped hull.  On the desert plain it can reach speeds up to 80mph, comparable to the Supacat designed `Jackal`.

Over 90% of the SPV400 is UK sourced with a 30 strong supply chain stretching from Darlington, where Cummins UK produce the engine, down to Devon, where the SPV400 is designed by Supacat.  Half of the key suppliers are concentrated in the West Midlands around NP Aerospace’s Coventry production facility where the SPV400 will be built.  They include GKN Aerospace and GKN Driveline, Pailton Engineering, CSES Engineering, Park Sheetmetal Ltd, Garforth & Goodman, Christy Hydraulics, Dana UK Axles, AFS Ltd, Lighting Aerospace.

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.

Both have significant experience in working with the British Army, with Supacat currently supplying the Jackal and Coyote vehicles while NP Aerospace integrates and supplies the Mastiff, Ridgback and Wolfhound vehicles.

Supacat exhibited a Jackal vehicle in the House of Lords on Thursday 8th July in support of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) summer event. During the event, the MoD used the Jackal for a photo shoot with Defence Minister Lord Astor of Hever to support a press release relating to the MIA’s Motorsport to Defence initiative. Supacat is a member of the MIA and has close links with the industry recognising the innovation, agility and performance on offer from companies working in this specialist sector. Supacat now has over 12 MIA member companies within the supply chain many of whom have designed state of the art components for the exciting new SPV400 vehicle. Supacat’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Jamie Clarke said “we are delighted to be in the House of Lords today supporting this prestigious event. Like those in the motorsport industry, Supacat’s products are high performance and are relied upon by the customer to be delivered quickly and importantly, on time. The motorsport industry has a lot to offer when measured against these qualities which is why we use so many suppliers from this sector. As an example, the SPV400 is an all-new, all-British design with several key components coming from the motorsport industry. The capability delivered by these suppliers contributes towards the supreme and unprecedented levels of protection and mobility on offer to the MoD in the SPV400 LPPV. We are proud to be associated with the MIA and are pleased to be members despite operating primarily outside of the direct motorsport sector”.

Today a chain of over 30 British manufacturers come together in Coventry to promote the all-British, all-new Supacat SPV400 bid for an Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) UOR value c. £200m Ministry of Defence contract to replace the Snatch Land Rover, which will have significant export potential. At NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility, where the Supacat SPV400 would be built, representatives from large and small automotive and defence companies across Britain will demonstrate their readiness to deliver a world beating vehicle that is urgently needed in Afghanistan should the SPV 400 be selected.

The SPV400 is a truly all-British designed and built vehicle and is competing for the LPPV Programme, which will lead to the purchase of an initial batch of 200 vehicles, valued at approximately £200m, and an option to buy a further 200 vehicles. The LPPV competition has created an entirely new class of protected patrol vehicle and therefore opens up significant export opportunities for the successful vehicle.

As all Intellectual Property Rights for the SPV400 are UK based, the automotive solution residing with Devon based Supacat and the protection system with Coventry based NP Aerospace, the SPV400 is wholly British owned, which means all export revenues will be fully exploited in the UK. Supacat holds the Design Authority, guaranteeing the UK retains full control over the technology and future design upgrades – and is free from US ITAR restrictions.

Over 90% of the SPV400 is UK sourced with the supply chain stretching from Darlington, where Cummins UK produce the engine, down to Devon, where the SPV400 is designed by Supacat. Some 15 of the key suppliers are concentrated in the West Midlands around the Coventry production facility, including GKN Aerospace and GKN Driveline, Pailton Engineering, CSES Engineering, Pary Sheetmetal Ltd, Garforth & Goodman, Christy Hydraulics, Dana UK Axles, AFS Ltd, Lighting Aerospace.

“This decision is essential for our soldiers but also for British Industry because the Supacat/NP Aerospace team believe it offers the best and a truly British solution – the SPV400. Not only would it strengthen the UK’s innovation and engineering skills base and support manufacturing jobs, sustaining between 1000 and 1200 jobs throughout the UK, but it is a true British Export”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director of Supacat, the vehicle’s designer.

Purpose designed to counter the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices in Afghanistan and perform a wide range of patrol tasks in areas inaccessible to heavier vehicles, the Supacat SPV400 offers unprecedented levels of mobility and protection which, in combination, break new ground in military vehicle technology and development. A light patrol vehicle in the 7.5 ton class, it carries a crew of six (2 +4) and combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including a protected all composite crew pod and V-shaped hull. On the desert plain it can reach speeds up to 80mph.

“In the UK we still have the capability to design and produce a world beating military vehicle and with the SPV400 the full export benefits will flow back to the UK, helping to underpin continued British development of equipment that best serves our troops on the front line”, said Roger Medwell, Chairman & Chief Executive of NP Aerospace. “This is an important piece of business for NP Aerospace’s future and for all the British companies in our supply chain and for their employees to sustain high quality engineering jobs”.

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.

Click here to see the Supacat supply chain