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Shaun Connors leapfrogs around the world top provide a snapshot of all things military truck-related…
With this issue of Battlespace due to become available just days before the UK’s annual Defence Vehicles Dynamics (DVD) show, the logical place to start our globetrotting look at all things military truck-related has to be the UK, and our staring point here a recently fulfilled truck-related UOR (Urgent Operational Requirement) that slipped under the radar of most…
This UOR, while not enjoying the highest of profiles, will none-the-less deliver a much-needed capability to soldiers in the field. Sadly it is a UOR that the more astute of commentators anticipated some time ago, in fact foresaw back in 2001, and at the time the MoD announced its selection of a fully legislatively compliant environmentalist-appeasing fleet of multi-axle/wheeled under-width heavy equipment/tank transport trailers. A total miss-match with their 700 hp 8x8 Oshkosh 1070F tractors, these trailers quickly proved themselves wholly unsuited to use on deployed operations. As a direct result of this, in late-2009 Broshuis of Holland was awarded a UOR contract to supply 20 heavy-duty 45-tonne payload two-axle full-width trailers, these capable of operating effectively on surfaces other than metalled roads…
Another reasonably low-profile UK procurement is the ongoing delivery by IVECO of 182 6x6 Trakker range trucks to ALC as part of that company’s 16-year Private Finance Initiate (PFI) undertaking for the MoD’s C-vehicle fleet. The bulk of the fleet will be tippers (63 Medium Dump Truck / 71 Self-Loading Dump Truck), with the remainder split between Truck-Mounted Loader (TML) and small quantities of drilling rigs and flush capping system platforms. Outside of this PFI procurement, IVECO will also supply the MoD direct with 15 (inc. a trials vehicle) 8x8 Trakker SLDTs fitted with a blast protected cab.
The UK’s highest profile truck procurement is probably the £1.3 billion Support Vehicle programme. This continues apace with around 4,200 of the 7,216 trucks ultimately ordered under the original contract and option delivered by mid-June.
Support Vehicle was one of the first global truck contract awards that included an integral protection element, this calling for all but a small number of vehicles dedicated to training to be fitted for but not with an appliqué protection kit, 1,098 of which were ordered. With the situation on deployed operations in Afghanistan and Iraq deteriorating, in 2008 the MoD disclosed a package of measures under a UOR known as Project Fortress to up-armour and further enhance the crew protection capabilities of 280 Support Vehicles for use on deployed operations.
At the same time Project Barricade was disclosed, this the conversion of 90 standard Support Vehicle HX55 8x8 15-tonne cargo trucks into load-handling system (LHS) equipped trucks. These trucks, uparmoured as part of Project Fortress, are known as Enhanced Palletised Load System (EPLS) and were to supplement/replace current Leyland and Foden DROPS vehicles on deployed operations, these unable to accept suitable levels of add-on crew protection.
Most recently the MoD has bought an additional 87 (56 + 31) EPLS trucks outside of the Support Vehicle contract, the 31 vehicles a training fleet. Additionally, in excess of 300 Support Vehicles (including the 56 new-build EPLS) are currently being upgrading to the latest Theatre Entry Standard (TES), with around two-thirds of the required work being carried out in-theatre.
The MoD will also receive an additional 107 HX60 4x4 6-tonne cargo trucks. These are being supplied by MAN under contract with BAE Systems as carrier vehicles for the Falcon Area Communications Systems, the original platform choice (Supacat) unable to accommodate evolving requirements that included a cab armouring solution.
In summary, the total number of Support Vehicles (including trailers) and derivatives contracted to the MoD to date is 7,479. Additionally, two UK specification Support Vehicle recovery variant (and trailers) will be delivered to the Irish Army during 2010-2011.
With Support Vehicle in place and scheduled to conclude deliveries around 2013, the MoD can perhaps now shift its focus towards two other outstanding (and delayed) truck requirements, the Combined Articulated Vehicle Programme (CAVP) and the Non Articulated Vehicle Programme (NAVP).
The first of those, CAVP has been rumbling on for a number of years and is essentially the evolution of the programme to replace the current Seddon Atkinson-fronted Light Equipment Transporter (LET) fleet. The most recent developments here have included the January 2009 disclosure that FLET (F – Future) had been cancelled for reassessment, and following submissions by MAN (a Support Vehicle HX derivative) and Oshkosh (a Wheeled Tanker derivative). It is understood that the Oshkosh proposal was preferred by the MoD.
In September 2009, and in what is hardly the most efficient use of taxpayers’ money, the MoD announced that Frazer-Nash Consultancy had been appointed to oversee what had evolved to become the CAVP programme. CAVP is now expected to call for a common tractor unit in a requirement that in addition to FLET now includes a replacement for the 32,500-litre General Support Tanker (GST), plus a small number of specialist transporters for the RAF.
As an interim expedient, a small number of Oshkosh Wheeled Tanker tractors have been converted to the LET role for use on deployed operations.
What is now the NAVP is essentially the former Heavy Load Distribution Capability (HLDC), the programme to replace the MoD's fleet of around 2,000 DROPS vehicles. As deployed operations place the defence budget under ever increasing strain, projects such HLDC/NAVP have all too easily been pushed to the right, and the most recent NAVP update sees the service life of the current DROPS fleet extended a further four years. The new capability is now due for delivery from 2022, by which time the bulk of the current fleet will be between 28 and 32 years old…
French Connection…
The British Army were arguably the pioneers of DROPS/PLS-type systems, and while some armed forces are yet to fully embrace the advantages of such a system, many already have, with some users already requiring to replace their first-generation systems. One such user is France.
France’s Porteur Polyvalente Terrestre (PPT) programme aims to replace the current Renault-based Véhicule de Transport Logistique (VTL) system, the initial order for which was placed in 1988.
PPT kicked off with a 2004-announced Request For Quotation (RFQ). At this time the in-service date was stated as 2008, however, the technical specifications were complex, and with Renault understood to have been the only respondent to the tender, it was withdrawn. Further false starts and stalls have occurred, but PPT would finally re-emerge in January 2010, and with an initial UOR-type requirement for 150 trucks with LHS and armoured cabs. Responses were due by March 2010, with an award expected later in the year.
Follow-on additional batches and options of 2,400 trucks and 550 trailers can be ordered/delivered between 2012-2017, the 2,400 trucks expected to be split 1,650 with LHS, 500 with fixed platforms in three configurations (standard, with tilt, with crane), 100 dump trucks and 150 recovery vehicles; some trucks will be fitted with armoured cabs. No preference for an 8x4 or 8x8 chassis has been stated by the DGA, although it is believed that all bidders will propose an 8x8 chassis (Renault has). The requirement is understood to be written around a construction grade truck and not necessarily a military grade truck, suggesting that a mildly militarised commercial platform is the desired aim.
Few formal details regarding bidders for PPT are available, although following Eurosatory 2008 things became slightly clearer with Renault, Scania and SOFRAME (with an IVECO/ASTRA truck) confirming their respective intent. It is understood that ultimately just Renault and SOFRAME responded to the January 2010 request. Scania, despite having a manufacturing facility in France and having recently been a favoured supplier of France’s armed forces, chose not to respond.
Euro Trip
Remaining within Europe and Germany, Holland and Norway/Sweden all have pending sizeable truck requirements, and for the size of its armed forces, so does Luxembourg…
The Dutch Defence Wide Replacement Programme of Wheeled Vehicles was scheduled for movement later this year. However, this programme the initial RFI for which traces back to mid-2008, has recently stalled following the analysis of submissions made by industry following a second RfI from late-2008. At its simplest, the Dutch MoD is of the opinion that it cannot procure the quantities or quality of vehicles required within the allocated budget. As a result of this, a reassessment of the requirement is currently underway. Approx. some 8,000 vehicles ranging from Light Strike Vehicles (LSVs) to 10-tonne 6x6 trucks are scheduled for replacement, with any contract award now not likely until at least 2012.
When it finally emerges, this requirement is likely to attract the interest of all the major European truck-makers, plus the likes BAE Systems, plus Navistar and Oshkosh of the US. Given the current dire state of global heavy commercial truck sales, it is understood that even Holland’s military market shy DAF (owned by Paccar of the US) is considering a move towards this requirement, possibly in an assembly/service-support partner role.
Germany has a number of current sizeable truck requirements, these currently being competed for by the three traditional German military market manufacturers, IVECO, Mercedes-Benz and MAN.
Under what is essentially a PFI style of procurement the Bundeswehr’s current militarised commercial fleet of Mercedes-Benz and IVECO-Magirus designs is being replaced by IVECO, MAN and Mercedes-Benz models supplied by BwFuhrparkService. BwFuhrparkService buys or leases these militarised commercial vehicles from the respective manufacturers and then leases them on the Bundeswehr.
Since 2007 BwFuhrparkService has delivered approx 3,500 trucks to the Bundeswehr, with Mercedes-Benz (Atego and Axor models) receiving the bulk of the orders. Most recently Unimog models have been delivered to the Bundeswehr by BwFuhrparkService, with around 650 delivered since initial deliveries in 2009.
The Bundeswehr’s MAN Kat 1 tactical truck fleet are also scheduled for replacement, these to be replaced under the GTF programme. GTF will procure a range of 2-, 5-, 9- and 15-tonne protected trucks, with vehicles provided by IVECO, MAN and Mercedes-Benz currently being evaluated. GTF has recently picked up speed again, and sources suggest that an initial purchase of Mercedes-Benz Unimog and Zetros trucks may be made in the near future.
When first muted back in late-80s it was suggested that 33,000 replacement trucks would be required under GTF. The project has since been fully re-evaluated at least three times and the current projection is for 2,500 trucks of all classes, with many thinking this figure will reduce still further.
The Bundeswehr has also commenced the process of renewing its tank transporter fleet, albeit rather slowly. Around four years ago, and following the elimination of IVECO and Mercedes-Benz, MAN was selected to supply the Bundeswehr with a new tank transporter tractor. Two MAN HX81 8x8 tractor units were procured during 2009, with an option for an additional 34. Two companion trailers are currently being evaluated, one supplied by DOLL, the other by Goldhofer.
In a novel approach, Sweden and Norway are looking to reduce the overall cost of their truck procurement programmes by exploring the possibility of a joint purchase. An initial ‘fact-finding’ RFI was released during 2008, with this expected to be followed by an RFQ during 2009. Currently it is understood that an RFI will be issued later this year, and based on responses to that (and subsequent negotiations/discussions with respondents), a preferred supplier will be selected without an RFQ.
While the likes of MAN, Mercedes-Benz, and possibly IVECO or even Renault should not be ruled out of the Swedish/Norwegian purchases, the smart money would probably be on established local suppliers, Scania or Volvo. That said, Finland’s Sisu should not be ruled out of the equation either, and while a relatively small producer in terms of commercial volumes, the company could almost certainly maintain a military delivery schedule. Additionally, the recent alliance with MAN which sees Sisu essentially re-cabbing MAN commercial designs could also be leveraged to enable Sisu to compliment their more sophisticated purpose-designed military trucks and offer the Norwegians/Swedes a complete range of trucks.
District 9
Moving away from Europe, and almost four years after the project stalled following allegations of impropriety, South Africa’s Project Vistula is rumoured to be due for movement in the very near future. Vistula’s overhauled requirement is now expected to replace around 8,000 primarily SAMIL 5- and 10-tonne payload trucks with around 5,000 new vehicles, mainly 8x8, but complimented by smaller quantities of 6x6 and 4x4.
Partnering and teaming arrangements for Vistula are unclear at the moment, as are the specific terms of the RFO. It is possible that those companies/products that were deemed compliant initially may be excused from further full evaluation trials, thereby giving them a financial advantage and possible head start over any potential new bidder(s).
There carrot for the possibly disadvantaged here is that there is potentially even more at stake than Vistula’s 5,000-ish trucks. At the time the renewed RFO is issued it is also hoped to move forward with the replacement of the SAMIL 2-tonne 4x4 truck fleet, and post-Vistula around 350 additional trucks could be ordered for specialist roles. And on top of that, the approx. 4,000-vehcile Project Sapula requirement (a new generation of mine-protected armoured personnel carriers) are intended to use the basic mechanical components of the Vistula family.
Acquisitions and recently formed strategic alliances are likely to impact on Vistula bidders, their intricate web weaved around the likes of – IVECO’s ASTRA bid was originally fronted by BAE Systems; BAE Systems now builds FMTV; BAE teamed with Scania for Land 121; MAN is understood to have been talking to BAE Systems regarding Vistula; MAN and Rheinmetall have recently created Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV), and TATRA (which was previously owned and mismanaged by Terex) now has an alliance with recent military major player Navistar, Navistar having a recently established commercial production plant in South Africa…
Navistar’s TATRA alliance is confirmed to be a prominent part of the company’s bid for Canada’s Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern (SMP) segment, the RFP for which is due anytime now. MSVS is the Canadian Army’s program to replace a fleet of 2,769 Bombardier 2.5-ton 6x6 Medium Logistic Vehicle Wheeled (MLVW) that were delivered from 1982.
In 2004, and without an open tender, the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) attempted to replace the MLVW with the then Stewart & Stevenson FMTV via the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route. This failed, and the requirement in its current MSVS format first formally emerged mid-2006. In the almost unique Canadian style the RFP is split to include two vehicle purchases, MilCOTS (Militarised Commercial Off The Shelf) and SMP (Standard Military Pattern).
In January 2009 it was disclosed that Navistar had been awarded the C$274 million MilCOTS segment of the MSVS requirement. Deliveries of 1,300 trucks based on the International WorkStar/7000 series commenced in July 2009, by June 2010 approximately 800 had been delivered, with final deliveries scheduled for autumn 2010.
In the wake of a period of wider commercial decline the now Navistar, which had previously shied away from high-risk military procurement, opted to move into the potentially lucrative military market that was developing around ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since receiving its first sizeable contracts in 2005, Navistar had by early 2010 racked up approximately $7.6 billion in sales covering an estimated 28,000 vehicles.
Navistar was the sole bidder for the MSVS MilCOTS segment, key factors here being Canada’s limited defence infrastructure and especially stringent Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB) and offset requirements. It is believed that there will be a stronger showing for the MSVS SMP segment, with BAE Systems, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Navistar, Oshkosh, and possibly IVECO all competing for a requirement that currently calls for up to 1,500 trucks, 150 armour protection systems and 300 companion trailers.
Next door to Canada, Oshkosh, following confirmation of contract award in February 2010, has recently delivered (ahead of schedule) the first FMTVs to the US Army. To date, Oshkosh has received orders to deliver 5,209 FMTV trucks and trailers, the five-year FMTV contract covering the production of an estimated 23,000 vehicles and trailers, plus the provision of support services and training.
Not all FMTV variants were covered by the rebuy award, and in addition to these it is understood that BAE Systems can continue to offer FMTV variants for export. BAE currently has US Army FMTV contracts that run until Nov/Dec 2010, and when these are complete, will have delivered in excess of 59,000 FMTVs and trailers to the US Army. BAE Systems also offers the Family of Global Tactical Vehicles, which incorporates the proven FMTV configuration with EURO V emissions technology.
Oshkosh, which has delivered over 30,000 heavy trucks to the US Army since the mid-1980s, continues to have under US Army contract A4 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTTs), A1 Palletized Load System (PLS) and A1 M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporters (HETs), while deliveries of Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) and Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) continue to the Marines. The most recent Oshkosh success story, the M-ATV (MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle), of which 8,079 (valued at >$5 billion) are currently on contract, is a diversification for the company and being an armoured vehicle is technically not the remit of this feature.
A further long-term US truck buy is M915 Series of line haul tractors. Essentially militarised commercial designs, the initial M915 Series award was placed with AM General in 1977, while the current award was placed with Daimler subsidiary Freightliner in 2000. To date around 10,000 M915 Series trucks have been delivered under the current contract, this now in its third extension year and delivering the latest M915A5 variant. It is understood that the proposed M915 series rebuy is currently on indefinite hold.
The European theme returns as this globetrotting snapshot of all things military truck-related draws to a close, but not here in Europe, rather down under in Australia…
Under the Australian Army’s multi-phase Project Overlander (Land 121) the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) entire light, medium and heavy logistic vehicle and trailer fleets are to be replaced. Late-2007, BAE Systems (medium/heavy), Mercedes-Benz (light), and Haulmark Trailers Australia (trailers) were announced as preferred tenderers for Phase 3 of Land 121.
In October 2008 it was disclosed that Mercedes-Benz of Germany had been awarded a A$350 contract for the delivery of 1,200 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, these progressively replacing many of the current approx. 3,400 Land Rover fleet, the first of which entered service in 1987.
Two other Land 121 announcements were made in October 2008; it was disclosed that Thales Australia (previously ADI and now technically French-owned) had been awarded a contract for an additional 293 Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMVs), these acquired to provide protected troop transport in situations where the existing troop carrying GS (General Service) truck is considered too vulnerable. Also announced in October 2008 was that the medium/heavy segment of Land 121 Phase 3 would be halted and a new process commenced.
Four bidders participated in this re-run, these understood to have submitted the following vehicle types; BAE Systems – FMTV and Scania; Mercedes-Benz - Unimog, Zetros and Actros; MAN – TG, HX and SX ranges; Thales – Bushmaster derivative and Oshkosh MTVR derivatives. It was disclosed in February 2010 that a down-select to MAN, Mercedes-Benz and Thales had been made, that an offer definition and refinement process (ODRP) had commenced, and from that a final preferred bidder would be announced late-2011.
Little has been said officially regarding the down-select, and it is probable that exact fleet composition has still to be determined. It is, however, understood that while MAN and Mercedes-Benz have been down-selected with a full complement of vehicles, that the only Thales offering down-selected is the Bushmaster single cab utility vehicle, a flatbed/cargo derivative of the Bushmaster IMV, and in a recently introduced bottom-end payload category.
Journey’s End…
Having started this globetrotting snapshot of all things military truck-related in the UK, it would perhaps be fitting to conclude it as far away from UK shores as possible, and in New Zealand. So we will…
The Land Transport Capability Program is a programme to replace the New Zealand Defence Force’s general service vehicle fleet, including medium and heavy vehicles, trailers and mechanical handling equipment. The current fleet is approaching 25 years of age and is rapidly reaching the end of its economic life. The medium weight component of the current fleet is Unimog based, however, the heavy vehicle component is Mercedes-Benz truck based and is not cross country capable, being a 6x4 configuration. Preliminary work is underway on this project and a progressive vehicle replacement program is expected to begin from 2011. The indicative cost of this project is around $550/$600 million.
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