Today HRH The Duke of Kent visited Supacat, the innovative design house and world leading specialist in high mobility vehicles, at its Dunkeswell, Devon based facility.

During the visit HRH unveiled a plaque and formally opened the new `Ames Building`, which provides a modern, productive office environment for staff. The building is named after Supacat’s Managing Director, Nick Ames, who since joining in 2002, has overseen the company’s expansion and transformation into a Prime Contractor to the UK Ministry of Defence. The Ames Building joins the Clayton and the Jones Buildings, which honour the company’s joint founders, David Clayton and Nick Jones.

The visit was hosted by Nick Jones, and Director and General Manager, Mick Halloran, who gave a presentation to HRH on the company’s current focus.

“We briefed HRH on how we are now supporting a 600 strong military vehicle fleet and on the outstanding reliability and capability `Jackal` and `Coyote` have delivered in theatre in Afghanistan. HRH also heard about our continuing development of the new Supacat Protected Vehicle SPV400 and how we are actively marketing it internationally. We also talked about our diversification into new markets outside defence”, said Mick Halloran.

Supacat has applied its `hostile environment’ engineering skills to win its first contract with a major company in the Oil and Gas sector and its first renewable energy project. The company is developing a wave hub device and proposed a solution for improving safety for maintenance technicians accessing offshore wind turbines.

In a tour of the facility HRH, who is President of the RNLI, had the opportunity to inspect the first pre-production Lifeboat Launch & Recovery System (L&RS). The L&RS has been custom designed by Supacat in association with the RNLI to transport the new class of all-weather lifeboat, currently in development, over some of the UK’s most demanding beaches.

To conclude the visit HRH took a test drive in an HMT400, dubbed `Jackal`, the Supacat designed high mobility patrol vehicle, whose supreme off road performance and speed have been acclaimed by British troops operating in the harsh terrain of Afghanistan. The HMT 400 is also used by numerous Special Forces worldwide.

“The visit by HRH The Duke of Kent has been an honour for Supacat, where everyone has worked hard over recent years to deliver vital equipment to support our Armed Forces. I trust we also demonstrated how innovative and agile companies like Supacat can re-apply their skills to solve diverse engineering challenges, and at a time when it is important to reduce our reliance on defence,” said Nick Jones.

 

IDEX, Abu Dhabi, UAE
20-24 February 2011
Supacat Stand: 05-C20

The new Supacat SPV400 protected light vehicle is being shown for the first time in the Middle East on 20 February at IDEX 2011, Abu Dhabi, where its versatility and groundbreaking levels of protection and mobility will be highlighted to the region’s armed forces and NGO organisations.
For a vehicle in the 7.5 ton class the SPV400 has the blast and ballistic protection levels typical of vehicles over twice its weight, yet has agility, speed and outstanding cross country performance. It can reach speeds up to 80mph on the desert plain but can manoeuvre in tight urban environments, inaccessible to heavier vehicles. Air suspension ensures a smooth ride over extreme terrain and conventional steering reduces complexity.
High mobility military vehicle specialist, Supacat, has developed the SPV400 using a modular and future-proofed design, which can be upgraded to meet evolving threats and requirements. It can be configured to perform a variety of roles, such as logistic, reconnaissance or ambulance, with the crew pod easily replaced with a new mission module.
Purpose designed to counter the Improvised Explosive Device threat, the SPV400 boasts an integrated blast and ballistic protection system. The system was designed by the composite armour protection specialist, NP Aerospace, using materials offering high levels of protection from a range of threats at a much lower weight than a traditional steel design. The crew pod is constructed as a separate module, sealed off from potential secondary projectiles, such as kit and electronic devices, which are housed in a rear compartment. All seats are mine blast protected.

“The SPV400 is a clean sheet design which has crew survivability built in from the outset to provide the protection and mobility necessary to meet the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

Additional protection is provided by the front and rear axles, which are mounted on detachable `sacrificial` sub-frames to absorb and deflect a blast away from the crew pod if a wheel strikes an explosive device. To enable this approach, the engine and transmission are separated to ensure the crew pod is not impacted should the front sub-frame detach. This modular approach also enables rapid in-theatre repair should a vehicle be involved in an incident. The affected module(s) can be quickly replaced enhancing the availability and maintainability of deployed platforms.

The SPV400 will be displayed on the UKTI stand at IDEX outfitted with integrated mission systems provided by SELEX Galileo to demonstrate its mission systems integration expertise. The systems include the SELEX Galileo driver’s night vision system and local situational awareness system, both of which outfit existing UK Army vehicles. These link with SELEX Communications internal comms and ECM systems and an EOS Raven remote weapons station into a seamless mission package.

Supacat is continuing development of its all-new, all British Supacat SPV400 light protected patrol vehicle to meet international demand for this new class of vehicle in military and non-military markets. The SPV400 is one of only two vehicles from an original field of 30 vehicle designs, which succeeded in being taken forward to the invitation to tender stage to meet the UK Ministry of Defence’s demanding requirements for its new Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV), despite not being selected as preferred bidder.

“We are very disappointed by the decision. The SPV400 is a world class vehicle. Its development in such a short period of time is a huge achievement for the team”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

“In addition to the interest from other armed forces, we perceive that NGOs and other civilian organisations operating in dangerous areas would benefit from the high levels of armour protection and off road mobility offered by the SPV400. Therefore we will be continuing to pursue international commercial opportunities for this world-leading vehicle technology”,

Supacat is an innovative design house and world leader in high mobility vehicles serving customers in the military and civil sectors. It designed the acclaimed Jackal and Coyote vehicles currently in service with British Forces in Afghanistan and other armed forces and a civil variant has been chosen as the support vehicle by Bloodhound SCC in its bid for the World Land Speed Record. Supacat is also developing a unique lifeboat launch and recovery vehicle for RNLI and providing specialist protected transit vehicles for the Oil and Gas sector.

Supacat are proceeding at full speed with their in-house development and reliability trialling programme for the all-new all-British SPV400. The newly constructed 60% slope and articulation gauges at Supacat’s Devon test facility are being used to put the SPV400 through arduous trials that exceed those conducted by the MoD at Millbrook earlier in the year. The SPV400 seen in this video is vehicle number 7 (click here to read more about vehicle 7) that has been demonstrating significantly enhanced performance and reliability over that achieved by the two prototypes purchased by the MoD for trials earlier in the year. Supacat’s Sales and Marketing Manager Jamie Clarke said “we fully understand the operational imperative surrounding the LPPV programme and that we must continue our own trials and development at full speed concurrently to the MoD’s programme. We’re really pleased with the progress of vehicle 7 and having driven the 60% slope myself recently, I can assure you that the vehicle’s performance under these conditions is breathtaking. We’re testing alongside a Jackal and the SPV400 is able to match it across all aspects of our test track so anyone who has driven a Jackal will be aware of the performance on offer with the SPV400”.

 

Supacat has recently completed the 7th all-new, all-British Supacat SPV400, which is Supacat’s offering 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. Following completion, the vehicle was delivered to the MoD in order for trials to be conducted prior to the announcement of preferred bidder, expected to be made soon.

Supacat’s rapid development of the SPV400 has seen all 7 vehicles built since December 2009. Vehicle 1 was blast tested in December 2009, vehicles 2&3 were delivered to the MoD for evaluation in January 2010 and were subsequently subjected to further trials by the MoD in April. Vehicles 4, 5 and 6 were blast tested in May, June and July respectively. Concurrently, vehicle 2 has been running back to back round the clock trials in operational conditions and vehicle 1 has been subjected to a demanding static four-poster rig test returning some impressive accelerated reliability results against repeated battlefield missions. Subsequently, vehicle 7 has been built to the very latest configuration and has had all of the upgrades and improvements incorporated as a result of the lesson learned throughout the development period. As a result, this vehicle is close to production standard.

“We are very proud of the progress we have made throughout this demanding development programme. Supacat has a reputation for being agile and for possessing the ability to deliver quality solutions in exceedingly short timescales; our development of SPV400 has clearly underwritten that reputation. SPV400’s design maturity is now advanced and this latest vehicle is already demonstrating that by delivering improved capability and reliability on trial”, 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.

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 

 

 

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.

 

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.”