Transport testing underway for Land 400 Phase 2
Trials of Australia's Land 400 Phase 2 contenders have taken place on HMAS Canberra to determine whether the tendered vehicles can be deployed to designated theatres.
Land 400 Phase 2 is seeking a vehicle to provide a mounted combat reconnaissance capability, a replacement for the Australian light armoured vehicle.
Contenders for the programme are the Rheinmetall Defence Boxer multi-role armoured vehicle and the BAE Systems-Patria AMV35 armoured modular vehicle.
According to the Royal Australian Navy, the vehicles undertook a series of trials on amphibious ship HMAS Canberra at Fleet Base East in Sydney in December 2016.
The two vehicles were loaded over Canberra's side ramps into the heavy vehicle deck, where they were positioned to drive on board the ship's landing craft.
Lt Col Chris McKendry, project manager test and evaluation of Land 400, said the trial was a success.
'The trial was conducted in order to meet some of the objectives of the phase two user evaluation. Specifically, this was to determine if the tendered vehicles can be deployed to all designated theatres.
'There is now the potential for some follow-on work with the amphibious assault ships in 2017 to confirm loads on the landing craft.'
The project will now continue the vehicle performance assessment at Monegeetta in Victoria before heading to Puckapunyal.
Transportability testing for other strategic lift assets such as the Royal Australian Air Force's C-17 is due to commence in mid-2017.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract]()
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
-
![Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows]()
Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows
Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.
-
![US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers]()
US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers
The termination of programmes such as JLTV and RCV has been harshly criticised by members of the US Congress.
-
![The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army]()
The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to General Dynamics Mission Systems–United Kingdom’s Chris Burrows about how the company's UK TacCIS business is reshaping battlefield communications through sustained customer engagement, accelerated innovation and ecosystem collaboration.
-
![Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million]()
Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million
This recent purchase of the medium-range air defence system adds to the country’s ongoing efforts to ramp up its overall defence readiness and capabilities.
