Supacat HMT 600 chosen to support World Land Speed Record
09-09-2010Supacat is playing a crucial role in The BLOODHOUND SSC’s bid to break the World Land Speed Record, in which the current record holder, Andy Green, will attempt a 1000mph record in South Africa in 2012. To support them during the high speed testing and record breaking runs the British team turned to Supacat for an all terrain, high mobility support vehicle capable of operating in the harsh desert conditions of the Hakskeen Pan.
The vehicle has to be capable of carrying 1,500 ltrs of water, firefighting equipment, a crane, a spare 450kg rocket and four crew members in air-conditioned comfort. The solution is Supacat’s 6×6 wheel drive HMT600, two of which have been loaned by Supacat for the Project. The HMT 600, dubbed `Coyote`, is serving as the British Army’s Tactical Support Vehicle (Light) in Afghanistan.
“Supacat’s role in the Bloodhound project highlights how British innovation and engineering can the lead the world. We’re very proud to be part of this project”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director of Supacat.
The 10 tonne, 183 bhp truck reaches speeds of 80 mph fully loaded and will serve as a secondary response vehicle in the event of an accident or emergency. The 1,500 lts of water and firefighting equipment will be used to dilute the highly corrosive High Test Peroxide (HTP) being used as rocket oxidizer should there be a leak or a spillage.
The Supacat HMT 600 will also aid the team during the tricky one hour turnaround phase. The crane will be used to load and unload the 450kg 5 metre long hybrid rocket, moving equipment and lifting the BLOODHOUND SSC on and off the dolly which will tow it to and from the base camp.
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