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The
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. One of these was QinetiQ, teamed with specialist
vehicle contractor MacNeillie & Son to offer a vehicle 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.
 MacNeillie
developed the MACS to be
adaptable for various military applications weighing 9.5 to
14 tons. The vehicle design started from a 'clean sheet' and
matured into a prototype within a few months. The vehicle is
based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)
high mobility 4x4 powertrain, running gear and components. The
basic design uses monocoque armored body shell made of high
grade steel, which can be upgraded to accommodate higher protection
levels, including appliqué armor, v-shaped hull and wheel
arches, to mitigate IED threats. Despite the weight increase
derived by the higher protection level, the basic vehicle's
width is maintained within the track, to allow stand-off protection
(such as slat armor) to be carried without excessive overhang.
 Based
on a standard Iveco medium truck chassis which has been in military
service for the past 15 years, CavCat
uses NP's CAMAC all-composite
armor solution which was first use with the armored Landrover
Snatch using the CAV100 suite. CAMAC is designed as an all-composite
bulletproof box, offering a high level of protection and structural
strength at relatively low weight. The CAMAC provides a modular
monocoque construction providing optimal ballistic protection
and strength to carry structural loads. Large scale armor components
made of laminated composite are molded and bonded together to
form the hull, minimizing joint lines and facilitating a stronger,
more repellant surface.
 BAE
Systems Land Systems OMC of South Africa displayed at DSEi the
latest version of the RG31 Mk6.
The vehicle respresents BAE system's proposed platform for the
MPPV program. Mk6 retains the level of mine protection provided
by its predecessors, while adding additional protection against
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The internal volume and
payload capacity were increased by the use of a wider hull and
an increase of gross vehicle weight (GVW) to 17 tons.
Thales Australia displayed the Bushmaster
armored infantry carrier, currently in use by the Australian
and Dutch forces. The standard fit for these vehicles include
air conditioning, remotely controlled weapon station and blast
protected seats. The vehicle on display at DSEi included several
enhancements, such as the new CROWS weapon station from Kongsberg,
a series of side and rear looking cameras and laser warning
devices providing 360 degrees situational awareness, an acoustic
gunshot detection system and additional protection. Bushmaster
is one of the vehicles proposed for the British MPPV program.
Thales Australia also offers a flat-bed version, configured
with an armored cab accommodating three soldiers (including
the driver). It can carry a payload of four tons and is designed
for a gross vehicle weight of 15 tons.
One of the newcomers at DSEi 07 was the Grizzly
from the US company Blackwater. Originally developed to meet
the company's requirements for secure transportation in high
threat areas. The vehicle uses a unique 'diamond hull' design
that consists of a V shaped hull and sloped walls, offering
protection against both roadside bomb and under-belly attacks.
The vehicle's armor is made primarily of layered steel plates,
combined with air gaps and layered composites to mitigate blast
and behind-armor effect.
Topics covered in this review:
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