DSEi 2011: Supacat settles on production standard SPV400
Vehicle manufacturer Supacat is nearing the final production standard of its SPV400 patrol vehicle, which it claims is now a more capable design than its failed entry for the UK's Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) programme.
Speaking to Shephard at the DSEi exhibition in London on 16 September, a company spokesman said the vehicle had undergone some 10,000km of reliability testing since the announcement of rival Force Protection Europe as preferred bidder for LPPV in mid-2010.
‘Since the LPPV decision we have continued development - there have been a huge amount of changes to the vehicle. Winning LPPV was a real challenge given where we were in its development at that time,' the spokesman said.
He claimed the vehicle, which is in the 7.5 ton class and carries a crew of six, provides ‘Mastiff levels of protection' while mirroring the mobility of the Jackal protected patrol vehicle.
The vehicle of display at DSEi - the seventh vehicle at the latest configuration - featured a range of improvements and the company is looking to settle on the final production standard by the end of the year.
Among the enhancements are a smoother ride through an improved suspension geometry with a new spring and damper set-up; a new brake system; and a number of refinements to the interior. In addition, the vehicle has new front-end styling and a revised driver interface.
The company also used the show to display its Jackal all-terrain vehicle, which it has offered to the Australian Defence Material Office (DMO) for the REDFIN 1B programme for a special forces vehicle.
More from Land Warfare
-
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
-
NSPA signs new helmet system framework deal and agreement for C-UAS systems
The Caiman helmet has been designed to be scalable for dynamic operations with mission-specific accessories and can incorporate electronics, communications headsets and other critical equipment.
-
US Missile Defense Agency’s budget could be cut by $2.6 billion over the next three years
The reduction would impact several acquisition and development programmes, creating capabilities gaps in US missile defence architecture.
-
Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
-
Saab to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 near New Delhi as Swedish firm eyes Indian expansion
Saab has planned to build “a streamlined ownership structure” in India to accelerate its investment plans and developing capabilities in the country.