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17 Mar 10. The cutting edge of force protection – industry showcases present and future technologies
Cutting edge armoured vehicles, counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) robots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and blood transport units are all on display at a major event to mark National Science and Engineering Week.
The event, organised by the Defence Industries Council (DIC) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), is part of an annual series of events celebrating science, engineering and technology. The event gives an insight into current technologies being deployed in support of the Armed Forces, as well as a forward look at the scientific innovations which may one day add to the current impressive range of tools affording military personnel a battle-winning edge.
National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) is a ten day programme of science, engineering and technology events and activities across the UK aimed at people of all ages, now in its 17th year. National Science and Engineering Week is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and works in partnership with Engineering UK.
Opening the event at Yeomanry House in London, the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said: “Today’s event celebrates the vital work of scientists, engineers and inventors who have helped cement the UK’s position as a world leader in science and research. Their discoveries are reaping benefits for the Armed Forces and civil society, helping to improve and protect lives.”
Industry exhibitors at the event are joined by Armed Forces personnel who are already benefiting from the latest cutting edge technologies in the field. These included personnel from 29 EOD and Search Group and RAF UAV specialists, who recently combined ground technology and UAVs in Afghanistan to continually guard against threats such as IEDs.
Rear Admiral Rees Ward (Rtd), Chief Executive Officer of Aerospace, Defence and Security and Secretary of the Defence Industries Council, said: “This event is an excellent opportunity for the defence industry and the Ministry of Defence to demonstrate how we are working together to use the best of British innovation and technology to provide the best possible protection to our armed forces. We also hope that young people reading about the high-quality, high-tech kit on display will be enthused and encouraged to get involved in science, technology and engineering an go on to pursue successful careers in the industry.
“The ‘Defence Matters Campaign’ which has worked with the Ministry of Defence in organising this event, aims to inform people around the UK about the contribution the defence industry makes not just in terms of supporting our Armed Forces with the best equipment and service support available but also in terms of its economic contribution. The defence industry is a provider of over 300,000 high-value engineering jobs across all regions of the country, in companies of all sizes, a small number of whom we see represented here today. I’d like to thank those companies who have made the effort to come and take part in this exhibition; many of the technologies they have put on display are state-of-the-art and the Armed Forces deserve nothing less.”
Rees Ward emphasised that the U.K. has more SMEs than France and Germany combined. However, given current Procurement Policies in buying offshore, the natural progression, without a strong Prime Contractor base, is for the SME base to shrink, with the subsequent job losses.
Every year the UK Defence sector recruits many hundreds of science and engineering graduates. The MOD has a 13,000 strong workforce of engineers and scientists – forming the Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG). These specialists are involved at every stage from the research and development of new technologies through to their procurement and readiness for the front line. Indeed, the MOD has deployed more scientists to the front line in recent operations than at any time since the Second World War.
Later, the Editor asked the Minister why the MoD was bent on pursuing the FRES Scout Programme, buying ASCOD when it had a perfectly workable system, Warrior, which was battle-ready having had 40 UORs added to the vehicle to bring it up to theatre-entry standard. “They are different vehicles.” He sharply retorted. Perhaps he should be presented with a copy of Jane’s Armoured Fighting vehicles to read when he leaves office!
Is the lack of choosing Warrior the wish by the MoD not to have a UK vehicle and thus run down the defence industrial base by stealth, is it a wish to see BAE close its Newcastle and Telford plants which would benefit DSG, or is it that the MoD does not want to admit that BAE Systems either lost or destroyed the Warrior jigs to ensure the success of CV90, where the jobs in Sweden are much more costly to cut? Time will tell, but a BAE source reckons he knows where the jigs are stored!
Exhibitors
Supacat and Force protection LPPV Vehicles
Both Supacat and Force Protection showed their LPPV vehicles. Both teams had praise for Gordon Brown for letting slip the order for 200 LPPVs which in fact stopped any discussions that the Programme would be delayed, or as we heard at AUSA, recompeted.
The Supacat Protected Vehicle 400 Series (SPV400) is the very latest development to enhance Supacat’s successful range of high mobility vehicles.
“Building on previous experience and integrating direct feedback from the operational use of our existing fleet, the SPV will take the performance levels of lightweight protected mobility platforms beyond that currently on offer around the globe.” Jamie Clarke told BATTLESPACE. “Fully integrated protection’ is the key to the SPV formula which, combined with
a cutting edge bespoke automotive solution, will offer high levels of protection yet remain sufficiently packaged to access the tightest of terrain. The SPV will mirror the ‘go anywhere’ ethos of previous Supacat products and will provide supreme cross-country performance and ride as well as provide the protection required to operate in an urban environment. The operator’s needs and the integration of modern battlefield systems have been considered from the outset so the SPV will be a highly attractive and ‘useable’ solution for 21st Century operations. We have conducted exhaustive blast test on the vehicle and these test showed that the problem of accelerating blast, which has killed soldiers in other vehicles has been almost eliminated by our design which allows the front and back of the vehicles to be blown away from the pod. We have also allowed for extra composite ballistic panels to be added to the vehicle to give better ballistic protection if required. We have also incorporated a new air suspension system and a Cummins 4 cylinder diesel engine, in line with the current MoD fleet. We will make the vehicle at NP Aerospace’s Coventry factory.”
Max Pengelly of Force Protection said about the Ocelot, "Designing from a clean sheet we have adopted a novel design which is a complete departure from the standard practice of basing mine resistant vehicles on a standard chassis design. Rather than go down the root of air suspension, we have used a torsion bar system, similar to that used in armoured vehicles. We are confident that the V-shape design of Ocelot, not only meets today's blast resistance requirements, but those expected in the future."
The vehicle is based on a modular design, comprising a core automotive armored spine or "skateboard", onto which one of a number of alternative special to role "pods" is mounted. These roles include a patrol, fire
support or protected logistics vehicle, sharing the common and interchangeable core. This concept enables the unit operating Ocelots to maintain mission capable forces, while addressing maintenance schedules or combat attrition, by reconfiguring available vehicles with the pods needed for each mission, rather than stocking spare vehicles as a reserve fleet. Vehicle pods are easily interchangeable in the field as the need requires. The V-shaped hull configuration formed by the combination of skateboard and an armor protected pod provides a practical vehicle package with good maneuverability, operational flexibility and high levels of protection for the crew. The vehicle has integral ballistic and mine protection, while
EFP and RPG protection necessitates additional appliqué armor kits. The skateboard spine also provides added protection to the internal automotive systems, improving operational robustness.
The Ocelot uses independent lockable differentials axles and a powerful
Steyr diesel engine, delivering high power-to-weight ratio (up to 25 kw/ton in combat mode) enhancing off-road mobility. This capability is further supported by the ground clearance of 0.338 meters, and 3.65 m wheelbase. The vehicle can climb a gradient of 60 degrees, tilt over 33 degrees angle and travel at a top speed of 110 km/h, accelerating to 80 km/h in 19.75 seconds. The fuel autonomy supports over 600 km of travel distance. Ocelot utilizes the four wheel steering Ocelot can turn in less than 12 m circle. Ocelot will be made at the Ricardo facility at Shoreham-on-Sea.
Designed to meet the British requirement for LPPV, both vehicles are designed for a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tons, carrying a payload 2 tons. The patrol version of both vehicles accommodates six soldiers (2+4). Both teams expected an announcement in August for delivery later in the year. Both vehicles have their benefits and it will be a close call to pick the winner. Production and delivery will be key. The Editor will drive the Supacat vehicle on April 13th
Thales
Thales showed a number of systems which make up their Talisman IED defeat system. On new product was the new Vehicle Mounted Acoustic Sensor System (VMASS)designed and built by the Company using its extensive sonar expertise.
The system has been designed to use enhanced acoustics for the improved real-time 360 degree detection, classification and localisation of threats such as sniper fire (>10km), mortars (<5km), MBTs (>10km) and helicopters (>7km). VMASS can be stand-alone or fully integrated into the architecture of the host platforms and their respective C4I systems. Thales said it hopes to bring the system t Owning The Night in November for live trials.
Honeywell showed the Micro Air Vehicle (MAV), six of which have been purchased by the MoD for Talisman.
The MAV is a modular, scalable family of systems that offers
unprecedented situational awareness in both urban and open terrains.
MAV System Features:
- One or Two air vehicles, one ground station
- Packable within two packs, compatible standard Modular, Light Weight, Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system
- Deployment and stowing operations accomplished in less than five minutes
- Simple, intuitive operation requiring minimal operator training
- Capable of carrying day and thermal cameras
radio relays and data links
- Streaming real-time video to the warfighter
- Vertical takeoff and landing enables hover and stare mission profile
Universal Engineering
Universal Engineering showed its Ranger armoured 6x6 APC which Jeff Little told the Editor had attracted great interest from the MoD as a replacement foer the existing fleet of mine protected vehicles now in their final stages of deployment. The Company is working on an 8x8 vehicle which will be shown at Eurosatory and DVD. Universal hopes to bring a ranger equipped with a 25mm Bushmaster canon on the Nobles mount to Owning The Night.
Hope fully, the new Administration, will tear up existing vehicle requirements as the Americans have. The mobility, versatility and protection offerd by systems such as Ranger must be the way forward.
TMV
TMV showed its all-new 6x6 modular highly-mobile, lightweight military truck. The rapidly-changing marketplace, with a continually-evolving insurgent threat, has given birth to the unique, six-wheel drive, six-wheel steer, TMV 6x6M. This, the first in a line of British-designed, purpose-built vehicles from TMV, focuses on the logistical requirement for highly-manoeuvrable military transport weighing up to eight tonnes GVW. Significantly, the modular design concept enables product extension to 4x4 and 8x8 variants.
By nature of time constraints and practicality, the majority of current vehicle solutions in this category have had to be based on existing chassis technologies, adapted for purpose. As such, they are inevitably compromised in certain aspects.
Furthermore, continually-changing deployment requirements focus on the need to deliver multiple assets with low utilisation rates and a high logistic footprint and, in answer to the insurgent threat, a fresh approach to both ballistic and blast protection.
Against this backdrop, the uniquely-engineered TMV 6x6M, based on established aerospace and racing car construction principles, features a structural V-shaped tub chassis of stainless steel, entirely clad with blast plate, to provide enhanced levels of protection against mines and IEDs, married to the usage of new generation, high-technology construction materials.
The design and construction concept has resulted in an immensely lightweight infrastructure that can be easily and effectively protected with a variety of solutions up to STANAG 3, whilst still enabling high levels of payload. The innovative TMV vehicle architecture enables extreme flexibility in the basic vehicle form, responding in both its deployment capability and level of threat usage, delivering a high-performance capability both on and off-road, and enabling a payload which fits between current light utility vehicles and the medium tactical trucks.
Commenting on the TMV’s unique design and structure, John Stretton, TMV Managing Director, explains: “We have designed and developed the TMV vehicle concept from a clean sheet of paper, to meet today’s military needs, rather than having to modify an existing platform. Consequently, we have configured the most appropriate type and shape of V-tub chassis to deflect mine and IED blast, and to optimise the location of the vehicle’s driveline and primary components. We have already had success overseas with this vehicle and have been shortlisted for the Australian Land 121 Medium Vehicle Requirement.”
THRU Vision Systems
Thru Vision systems showed their unique T5000 system, developed using space imaging technology. The T5000 is an outdoor people screening system that can detect concealed threats at distances suitable for operational requirements. The T5000 is suited for checkpoint security, urban surveillance and counter terrorism applications.
T5000 Technical Specifications
General:
Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)
Power consumption: 300 W
Operating voltage: 22 V DC - 28 V DC
Operating current: 10 A typical; 12 A maximum
Dimensions: 955 mm (h) x 787 mm (w) x 409 mm (d) (37.6" x 31.0" x 16.1")
Specification:
Maximum stand-off imaging distance: 25 m (82 ft)
Minimum stand-off imaging distance: 6 m (20 ft)
System operating temperature: -10°C to 55°C (14°F to 131°F)
Storage temperature: 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F)
The system is ideal for use in Forward Operating Bases and checkpoints and will no doubt be deployed in Afghanistan.
IED Robots in abundance
The British Army EOD Demo Team showed its extensive range of equipment including the Qinetiq Dragon Runner Robot. Qinietiq also showed it on their stand.
QinetiQ was awarded a contract worth £12m by the UK MoD to supply
approaching 100 Dragon Runner robots, associated spares and technical services to support of current military operations in Afghanistan in November 2009.
Dragon Runner is a small, rugged robot that weighs between 10-20kg depending on the chosen configuration. It can be easily carried by a soldier in a backpack and is robust enough to operate in rough terrain to help protect troops. The variant selected by the UK MOD is equipped with a manipulator arm to assist with the disarming of improvised explosive devices but the versatility of the Dragon Runner platform means that it can also be configured for a variety of other reconnaissance and surveillance operations. The Dragon Runner robot is also able to operate in sewers, drainpipes, caves and courtyards to detect danger.
Already being deployed, the all-seeing, all-listening Dragon Runner has the ability to send video footage back to the operator at a safe distance thereby enabling troops to assess a situation prior to moving forward or entering a structure, potentially safeguarding lives.
The backpack-able Dragon Runner is particularly suited to operational environments similar to those experienced in Afghanistan where the road system has been ravaged by almost continuous fighting since the late 1970s and where many troop movements are conducted either on foot or by helicopter. The use of robots also has significant benefits in Afghanistan where the United Nations estimates that 200,000 people have been disabled by landmines and the explosive remnants of war.
QinetiQ's initial contract with the UK MOD is valued at over £12m. This includes the supply of replacement parts and the provision of support throughout the operational life of the systems. This is an essential part of a UK based maintenance and support plan that has been carefully designed to enable the UK MOD to return battle-damaged robots to active duty as quickly as possible.
Dragon Runner was originally developed by Automatika, a US company acquired by QinetiQ North America. The robot has since been further developed as a result of UK and US military user input and it can travel at speeds of around 5mph, travel over rough terrain, as well as climb stairs and open doors.
The basic chassis is 20cm wide, 7.5cm tall and 23cm in length and can be easily adapted in the field with various accessories and a manipulator arm to be mission specific. In addition to IED identification and defeat, other functions include perimeter security, checkpoint security and the inspection of suspect vehicles.
Northrop Grumman was showing its impressive Cutlass bomb disposal remote vehicle in action.
In December 2006 Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Remotec UK Ltd. subsidiary was been appointed prime contractor for Phase II of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) CUTLASS robotics programme. The CUTLASS programme will provide the next generation of unmanned ground vehicle for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) to be used by the MoD for anti-terrorism operations worldwide. The bulk of deliveries will take place in 2010. The CUTLASS system offers the latest technology in a modular design, thereby enabling the user to deal with the full range of both military and improvised explosive devices. Its highly versatile design means that it is capable of accommodating a wide range of payloads, sensors and tools.
The manipulator arm is equipped with a state-of-the-art gripper and has nine degrees of freedom for greater movement and agility inside limited spaces, such as the interior of a car. The robot is able to creep along at deliberately slow speeds for delicate operations and may accelerate to high speeds to enable rapid travel. The six-wheeled design offers mobility on all types of hard and soft terrain and in all weather conditions.
Prior to the CUTLASS programme, Northrop Grumman through its Remotec subsidiary in the UK was, for more than ten years, the sole supplier to the MoD of the Wheelbarrow-class bomb disposal robot. Northrop Grumman has more than 2,000 unmanned ground vehicles in operation worldwide.
QinetiQ is providing the vehicle command and control systems. QinetiQ's user-friendly operator command console will combine manual commands with advanced software to provide the unprecedented functionality required for such a demanding mission environment.
The logistics support effort will be led by LSC Group. The support strategy will translate user availability, maintainability and requirements into cost-effective support solutions using a wide range of analysis and prediction tools and techniques. In addition, LSC will have responsibility for the CUTLASS programme's risk management and tracking activities.
The U.S. version of Cutlass featured in the Oscar winning film The Hurt Locker.
Other Exhibitors included: Amsafe- ‘Tarian’ textile vehicle armour. Procured by the MOD to be fitted on the cabs of vehicles such as Oshkosh fueld tankers. Much lighter than traditional bar armour, made up of payers of fabric. Looks a bit like a small mattress.
BAE Systems – ‘Panther’ vehicle – now in service in Afghanistan. Recently upgraded – form the platform for a number of innovations such as a radar-deflecting camouflage sheet. Other items include wearable electronics – where a radio antenna form part of a soldier’s combat clothing, structural batteries where electrical charge is held within the skin or armour of a vehicle, thickening liquid armour which coalesces on impact.
DSTL- Warrior – in service armoured personnel carrier. Osprey body armour, background on testing of mine-resistant armour protected vehicles.
Fenton Pharma- Hypothermia Blanket – a lightweight blanket which packs down very small that can be easily carried and wrapped round a casualty to prevent them suffering from hypothermia.
Finmeccanica/Selex- Enforcer protected weapons station – Fitted to armoured vehicles as a ‘mini-turret’ (eg Panther). In service in Afghanistan. Also camera devices.
General Dynamics- Blood unit – a system of a large ISO type container which contains a number of man-portable (rucksack size) blood cooling units which allow chilled blood to be brought to forward medical units
Milsys- Celox bandage – a bandage wghich has been infused with crustacean shells which aids blood clotting
NAR Group- Durable blood-fridge – a fridge developed for use on armoured vehicles. It has been developed using expertise from the powerboat and motorsport industries to resist shock, dust and heat.
Plattmounts Protected Weapon Station MR550 Mk II’ – a mini-turret fitted to vehicles including Warthog.
Prometheus- ‘Enflow’blood and fluid warmer – warms chilled blood and plasma up to body temperature in order that it can be inserted into a wounded serviceman.
Raytheon- ‘Sentinel’ – a jet aircraft-mounted radar-type system that forms a picture of the battlefield, looking down at the battlespace from an angle in the sky. Reaper Sensor – the sensor ball mounted on the reaper UAV which sends back imagery and information to the pilots..
Team Reaper (Cobham/RAF personnel) - Reaper UAV – large UAV, currently in service in Afghanistan.
Thales -Storm- H handheld C-IED unit which enables the dismounted soldier to check for some types of IED’s. Watchkeeper - medium sized UAV currently in service in Afghanistan.
Vestguard- Max 1 Plate Body-armour plate – a new design of body armour plate which uses a layered design rather than the traditional monolithic ceramic. Not in service.
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