UV Online
Unmanned option for surplus Snatch vehicles
Providing a solution for ‘several thousand’ Snatch Land Rovers earmarked for disposal, Marshall Land Systems yesterday unveiled an unmanned version of the much-maligned vehicle, designed for force protection duties in Afghanistan.
On show for the first time at its Petersfield site in Hampshire, the 4x4 technology demonstrator (TD) is based on the long wheelbase military vehicle which has come in for criticism during operations in Afghanistan for its lack of protection against improvised explosive devices.
Speaking to Unmanned Vehicles, Marshall Land Systems said the TD provided a perfect solution for Snatch 1 and 2 vehicles, some of which have already been lined up to be sold onto the civilian market.
‘It has potential for a number of different applications varying from detection of various objects through to convoy protection and route clearance,’ Marshall Land Systems’ future business director, Tim Otter told UV.
Earlier in the year, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) released initial funding for development of an unmanned Snatch TD with sources telling UV that there were plans to employ such a system for surveillance duties around bases.
Elsewhere, UV understands that the MoD is in talks with UGV developer G-Nius regarding the possible procurement of its AvantGuard system for operations in Afghanistan, according to industry sources.
They added that the MoD was seeking a variety of assets to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as employed by insurgent forces in Afghanistan. A cheaper alternative could be Marshall Land Systems’ Snatch TD.
The Snatch 2 tests were carried out earlier this year at Hullavington airfield and Dunsfold aerodrome, proving basic unmanned mobility controlled at ranges up to 500 metres. However, Marshall Land Systems said range limitations were dependent upon communications links used.
‘We are looking at ground penetrating radar and other technologies and are talking to a variety of firms,’ Otter added while describing how the vehicle can easily revert back to manned operation for use inside bases such as Camp Bastion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
John Harris, managing director of Marshall Land Systems said: ‘The concept of operations need to be thought through. The TD could be used as a “sacrificial lamb” but if you lose it at head of convoy, you lose your eyes at the front.’
The remote driver’s position, which can be located in a fixed position or follow-up vehicle, is complete with all controls, steering wheel and instruments which replicate what the driver would experience if sitting in the actual vehicle. The operator has a screen which provides him with a real time image of the view from the driver’s position in the Land Rover.
By Andrew White, London
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