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Future
Rapid Effects Systems (FRES) is the largest armored fighting
vehicle program in Europe, with up to 3,000 vehicles expected
to be procured. At present, the competition for the supply of
about 2,000 8x8 FRES Utility Vehicles (UV) is underway. These
will cover a number of variants, including a scout vehicle which
will replace the current Scimitar, a direct fire platform and
maneuver support vehicles (engineer and bridgelayers). This
will be followed by the acquisition of a land combat vehicle,
troop carrier and mobile gun and indirect fire systems (mortar
carrier), based on different tracked or wheeled platforms. The
three finalists for FRES UV - French Nexter VBCI, German-Dutch
BOXER built by Artec and the Swiss made General Dynamics' /
MOWAG Piranha Evolution based on the Piranha V design, participated
in intensive trials held this summer. A decision on the outcome
of these tests is expected in
November 07.
Some of the vehicles and technologies associated with FRES
were on display at DSEi 07, including the French
VBCI 8x8 vehicle, a Piranha III fitted with Saab Avitronics
active protection system and several turrets which could be
associated with the upcoming FRES scout configuration. General
Dynamics UK also demonstrated a typical internal configuration
utilizing synthetic situational display for the driver and commander
and individual computer screens for crew members, facilitating
'virtual windows' for improved situational awareness.
The British MOD has set a higher priority for the modernization
and upgrading 449 of its 786 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle
with modern guns
and electronics, and is currently planning to begin fielding
the upgraded vehicles by 2010 - 2011 timeframe, about two years
ahead of the original schedule.  The
upgrade is expected to sustain the vehicle's operability until
2035. Several competitors associated with the program displayed
their hardware at the exhibition, including Lockheed Martin
Insys, BAE systems and Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems.
Other modifications are planned for the FV432
Mk3 (Bulldog) troop carrier, which has recently received
enhanced armor protection. These include an uprated power train,
sustaining the heavier loads of the up-armored Mk3. At DSEi
07, Selex also demonstrated an FV-432 fitted with the latest
electronics, situational awareness and integrated weapon systems,
hinting about how future armored vehicles could be equipped.
Another hot topic at DSEi 07 was the Medium
Protected Patrol Vehicle (MPPV), which is part of the British
Army procurement agenda for 2008. Following the introduction
of the heavily protected Mastiff armored vehicles, the British
MOD plans to field, by 2009, 180 additional medium protected
patrol vehicles (MPPV) supporting troop transportation, convoys
and patrols. Sofar, the Army is using two versions of armored
patrol vehicles - the heavily armored Mastiff 6x6 truck, produced
by the US based Force Protection International and the light
armored 6x6 truck called Vector, produced by Austrian Pinzgauer
recently integrated within BAE Systems (through the acquisition
of the US based Armor Holdings group). Minimum requirements
for the MPPV call for a wheeled vehicle to operate on road and
on rough tracks in urban, semi-urban and rural environments.
It should also have a maximum weight of 14 tons, be capable
of carrying up to seven troops and provide protection against
ballistic, mine, fragmentation and blast threats. Vehicles are
expected to mount Bowman radios, Counter-IED jammers, specialist
armor and weapon mounts, including protected gunner positions
or remotely operated weapon stations.
 Several
candidates for the program displayed or discussed their hardware
at DSEi 07. Some of these vehicles were brand new. One of the
new entries was QinetiQ, teamed with specialist vehicle contractor
MacNeillie & Son to offer an MPPV based on MacNeillie's
Military Armored carrier System
(MACS) design.
A different proposal based on the all-composite CAVCAT
armored vehicle was presented by NP Armour Systems. Other
new candidates include the Blackwater
Grizzly, which made its international debut at the show.
Other new vehicles at DESi were the latest model of the South
African RG31 Mk6 and the Australian
Bushmaster, presented here by Thales Australia and Oshkosh.
(3)
DESi 07 provided the opportunity for the European debut for
the Israeli Golan armored vehicle
from RAFAEL. 60 such vehicles are currently in production
for the US Marine Corps. The vehicle is also being considered
for use by the Israeli army, as an 'urban patrol vehicle'.
Another vehicle on display was the Cheetah
from Force protection. This is the lightest version of FPI's
family of mine protected armored vehicles. Cheetah provides
a highly protected alternative for small patrol vehicles, such
as the British Snatch (armored Landrover), and up-armored HMMWV.
FPI decided to bring the Cheetah to the UK to promote support
among MoD in the acquisition of this vehicle as potential replacement
for medium protected command and patrol vehicle. Such acquisition
could be considered apart from the MPPV procurement, as Cheetah
does not comply with the accommodation and load capacity requirements
of the MPPV. Other vehicles unveiled at the show include teh
J8 from Jeep
and a new 6x6 Land Rover.
 Other
aspects of vehicle protection on display at DSEi 07 included
a range of safety seats, designed to improve crew protection
in an event of IED or mine attacks. Blast
protected seats are becoming indispensable in every new
or upgraded mine-protected vehicle program and the choice of
seats offered by manufacturers is growing. Other aspects of
vehicle protection include the employment of weapons behind
armor, using remotely
operated weapon stations. Several manufacturers introduced
new systems at DSEi 07, and some systems are covered here. Active
protection systems are also maturing, and are considered
to provide an essential (not exclusive) layer of protection
in any future armor solution. Some of the systems displayed
at DSEi 07 are covered here.
Topics covered in this review:
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