AUS: Testing Completed For New Army Combat Vehicles (LAND 400)

BAE Systems (Patria) AMV35 (Wiki Info)

Testing to support the selection process for the Army’s new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) has finished on schedule.

Head Land Systems Division, Major General David Coghlan, congratulated the two shortlisted contenders, Rheinmetall and BAE Systems Australia, who have been involved in the year-long Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) to help Defence choose the supplier of the new Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability.

“The RMA incorporated a test and evaluation program, a series of schedule and contract management workshops to reduce the risk to the LAND 400 contract, and working with defence industry to increase opportunities for Australian industry involvement in the program,” Major General Coghlan said.

“The test and evaluation program assessed the candidate vehicles and their support systems across a wide range of criteria, with a particular focus on protection, lethality and mobility.

News Story: Australia tests combat recon vehicles

Rheinmetall Boxer CRV for LAND 400 Phase 2

by Richard Tomkins

Rival armored vehicles in competition for Australia's LAND 400 Phase 2 program are undergoing test and evaluation assessment, Australian officials said in a press release.

The Australian program for a next-generation combat reconnaissance vehicle will eventually see 225 vehicles procured by the Australian military for a total purchase price of more than $3 billion.

BAE Systems-Patria AMV35 for LAND 400 Phase 2

"The Rheinmetall Boxer CRV and the BAE Systems Australia Patria AMV35 are armored fighting vehicles with vastly improved firepower, protection and mobility than our current fleet," said Australian Minister for Defense Industry Christopher Pyne, who recently witnessed live-fire testing.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

Think Tank: Sea, air, land and space updates (28-Feb-2017)

Zoe Glasson, Sophie Qin, Madeleine Nyst and Patrick Kennedy

Sea State

Cyber attack combat-readiness, intelligence exploitation, drone intelligence, systems streamlining and integrated infrastructure will all be part of the Royal Navy’s forthcoming Information Warrior 17 exercise. Perhaps the coolest aspect of the exercise is that it’ll explore artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, both as a potential threat and as a combat tool. The exercise will test whether AI can be used as a warship’s “mind”, controlling weapons targeting, issuing commands and improving threat response strategies.

The Royal Australian Navy is also war-gaming this week in the inaugural Exercise Ocean Explorer. Taking place off the West Australian coast, the exercise involves more than 17 ships and aircraft including contributions from Spain, New Zealand and Italy. It aims ‘to train ships to work together in a series of complex and dynamic warfare scenarios’, with the international participants also having the opportunity to grapple with the added challenges around language, customs and technology differences.

Finnish defence firm Patria showcased its Nemo Container mortar system at IDEX in Abu Dhabi on 20 February. Essentially, it’s a shipping container integrated with a 120mm Nemo mortar turret that can be fitted to both land and sea platforms. Check out this quick video explaining its versatility.

News Story: Land Forces 2016 - Boxer dukes it out with AMV35

BAE Systems/Patria AMV35

by Gordon Arthur

The Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 2 programme for combat reconnaissance vehicles attracted top attention at Land Forces 2016 in Adelaide, with the field now narrowed to the Rheinmetall Boxer and BAE Systems/Patria AMV35. 

Both contenders had their 8x8 vehicles on display in a three-colour AusCam paint scheme. The competition is now in its risk mitigation activity phase.

The Boxer was fitted with a two-man Lance turret featuring a 35mm cannon and dual Spike anti-tank guided missiles. The 35mm cannon was offered as an option instead of the more typical Mauser 30mm Mk 30-2 gun. The hull-Lance turret combination was first exhibited in 2010, at which time it was being proposed to the Canadians.

The Spanish use this turret on their Piranha III vehicles. The turret is protected to the same degree as the hull, with Rheinmetall able to manufacture the turret, optics, gun barrel and ammunition itself.

Rheinmetall Boxer

A Rheinmetall spokesman said the Boxer, powered by a 720hp MTU engine, was designed to operate with Leopard 2 tanks and so possesses extremely high mobility. Interestingly, the driver is seated on the right side of the hull.

It employs a modular design, with the drive module 100% in common with German Army vehicles. The spokesman highlighted its ballistic protection, possessing mine-blast protection and multi-layered protection.

Read the full story at Shephard

Industry: Land 400 RMA contract signed

BAE Systems Australia and Patria have been selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle program. The contract between Australian Defence Department and BAE Systems Australia was signed on August 19.

The offered AMV35 is Patria’s modern, agile, highly protected Armoured Modular Vehicle platform integrated with the combat-proven E35 turret and weapon system from BAE Systems Hägglunds.

BAE Systems and Patria are committed to embed as much Australian industry content in this vehicle as possible and to support the development of local industrial capability, with the manufacturing, technology and intellectual capability transitioning to an Australian industry. Both Patria and BAE Systems Hägglunds have successfully transferred technology and the production of the AMV and the E35 turret to several other countries, delivering considerable in-country economic advantages including long term local sustainment and upgrade activities.

AMV35 will be shown at Land Forces 2016 conference 6-8.9.2016 in Adelaide, Australia.

Patria

Industry: AMV35 selected for Land 400 evaluation

Australia: BAE Systems Australia and Land 400 bid partner Patria have been confirmed as one of 2 tenders selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle program.

The announcement was made by the Department of Defence today.

BAE Systems Australia has offered the AMV35 – Patria’s modern, agile, highly protected military-off-the-shelf Armoured Modular Vehicle integrated with the combat-proven E35 turret from BAE Systems Hägglunds.

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Glynn Phillips said: “BAE Systems will produce the AMV35 in Australia if we are selected as the successful tender. This will secure and retain in-country capability and contribute significantly to the Australian economy throughout the expected 30-plus year life and sustainment of the vehicles.”

Industry: BAE Systems Land 400 vehicle ready to go

Adelaide, South Australia: BAE Systems Australia is ready to demonstrate its solution to the Australian Army’s mounted combat reconnaissance requirements and its plans to manufacture in Australia.

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Glynn Phillips said: “Our three test vehicles are built and ready to go for the Army’s 12 months of rigorous testing in the Risk Mitigation Activity stage of the tender evaluation later this year. We believe the AMV35 is technically superior to its rivals and is a value-for-money solution for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) which benefits the Australian economy through our commitment to manufacture in Australia.

Industry: Patria and BAE Systems submit Australian Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle bid

Patria and BAE Systems have offered a highly protected armoured vehicle integrated with a combat proven turret as the solution that will best meet the Australian Army’s mounted combat reconnaissance requirements. The companies offer the AMV35 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) under Phase 2 of the Land 400 Program.

The solution combines Patria’s Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) and BAE Systems Hägglunds’ E35 turret system. Both are qualified and in service with NATO nations.

The Patria AMV has been selected by seven nations with 1,400 contracted vehicles. The platform has attained a strong combat reputation, chiefly based on the strength of its operational performance e.g. in Afghanistan. The BAE Systems-Hägglunds manned turret system is fitted to the successful CV90 family of infantry fighting vehicles operated by five nations. It has been used on crisis management and combat missions across the globe.

Industry: BAE Systems submits "Land 400 Phase 2" bid

BAE Systems has offered a highly protected armoured vehicle integrated with a combat proven turret as the solution that will best meet the Australian Army’s mounted combat reconnaissance requirements.

As prime contractor, the Company has teamed with Patria to offer the AMV35 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) under Phase 2 of the Land 400 Program.

The solution combines Patria’s Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) and BAE Systems Hägglunds’ E35 turret system. Both are qualified and in service with NATO nations.

The Patria AMV has been selected by seven nations with more than 1,400 contracted vehicles. The platform has attained a strong combat reputation, chiefly based on the strength of its operational performance with the Polish Army in Afghanistan.

Industry: BAE Systems and Patria to pursue Land 400 opportunity

Patria AMV (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

Adelaide, Australia: BAE Systems and Patria have today announced a teaming agreement to pursue a major Australian combat vehicle program.

The two companies will work together to secure the anticipated Land 400 Phase 2 Defence program for the acquisition and support of a Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), with BAE Systems as prime contractor.

Patria is the market leader of modern 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicles and is an ideal partner for BAE Systems. The team will work together to deliver a Patria 8x8 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) solution to meet the needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Markku Bollmann, Senior Vice President, Land business unit, says, “Patria AMV combines high payload capacity and excellent mobility with the latest technology. The versatility of the modular design enables it to be tailored and continually developed to meet the needs of modern defence forces around the world.

“Patria AMV is a highly capable vehicle with strong sales track-record and in use by seven different nations in wide range of environments. The vehicle is combat-proven in the real mission environment.”

Graeme Bent, BAE Systems Australia’s Director – Land & Integrated Systems, says, “We make a strong team. Patria has a proven track record of technology transfer to user nations, and BAE Systems has a long and proud history of building and supporting both tracked and wheeled military vehicles, here and overseas. Continued local support will enable the ADF to draw upon an established manufacturing base and our global network.” 

The two companies will now evolve their solution to the Commonwealth’s CRV requirement before providing additional information around their tender solution.

BAE Systems