General Dynamics Land Systems and Thales Australia are teaming to bid to the Australian Defence Land 400 Phase 2 – Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability (MCRC) Request For Tender. The Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) fleet will support seven mission roles identified within the LAND 400 Operational Concept Document (OCD). The Australian tender seek a military-off-the-shelf (MOTS) based capability, and maximise Australian industry content. Through-Life Support for the MCRC is being acquired under a collateral contract. First delivery of the CRV is expected in 2020 with first unit achieving initial operational capability (IOC) three years later.
The new vehicle will replace the current fleet of 257 Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) – based on General Dynamics’ Piranha III. New 8×8 vehicle designs allow for significantly increased weight, supporting much improved protection protection, and electronic system architecture supporting advanced applications, a necessary step toward fully digitized Land Combat Vehicles that will be fielded as part of the follow-on Phase 3 – “Mounted Close Combat Capability”, fielding a replacement for 431 Australian M113s.
The two companies have collaborated in the past on a number of international military vehicles programs including Canada’s LAV III Upgrade, the UK Foxhound and Scout SV Programs, Switzerland’s Piranha CBRN Program, and in Australia the ASLAV Program for Crew Procedural Trainer and electro-optics.
General Dynamics Land Systems is the manufacturer of combat-proven 8×8 and tracked Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and Manoeuvre Support Vehicle (MSV) products, and has proven performance in delivering international programs in a timely and cost-effective manner. Thales Australia has an established in-country industrial base of vehicle design, manufacture and through-life support and expertise in electronics, electro-optics, simulation and platform systems integration. The General Dynamics Land Systems / Thales team will offer Australia a compelling value-for-money solution comprising the complete suite of LAND 400 capabilities as required by the Australian Army.
General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia was established in 2000 to support the delivery of the ASLAV wheeled armoured fighting vehicles and has manufactured approximately 400, LAV-25 turrets, mostly for export. General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia currently provides comprehensive support to the fielded fleets of M1A1 Abrams tanks and the ASLAVs.
“Our arrangement will maximise domestic and international opportunities for our Australian industry and builds on the success of our current platforms in protecting Australian soldiers.” Ian Cook, managing director of General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia, noted saying the companies’ proposal will be based on existing 8×8 platforms from GDLS, to be manufactured in Australia, with Thales providing integration, upgrade and through-life support, based on its experience with the Bushmaster mine protected armored vehicle.”
