Among the vehicles displayed was the new Ridgeback Personnel Protected Vehicle, which is a smaller version of the popular Mastiff that is already in used in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The new Snatch-Vixen, an upgraded version of the armored LandRover uses heavier axels to carry additional armor and more payload in theatre. The vehicle also has better mine protection. The RWMIK with its new built in armor was on display and the new Jackal, which has been deployed in Afghanistan with 16 Air Assault Brigade’s Pathfinder Platoon and the Household Calvary Regiment.
The new command vehicle ‘Panther’, was also on display. Panther is completing acceptance tests and will soon be delivered to deployed units. There was also the 3 variants of the new Man Trucks on the Demonstration.
An up-armored Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (picture above) and up armored Warrior Armored Personnel Carrier (bottom) were unveiled here for the first time, fitted with the modern Intensive Explosive Reactive Armor (IERA) add-on suite part of the Warrior additional protection (WRAP2) plan.
Other up-armored configurations of weapon systems on display included the AS90 Self Propelled Gun, the Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS), the upgraded Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) Scimitar and Spartan. (left).
The Bulldog Armored personnel Carrier also uses advanced hybrid armor suit, already proven in theater. The Challenger tank and Warrior uses add-on armor to protect from IEDs, as well as electronic jammers to disrupt command signals.
Among the vehicles currently operating in theater were the Viking, Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) and the new Engineers Terrier Vehicle.
Many of these armored combat vehicles, from the heavily armored Mastiff patrol vehicle to the challenger tank and swift Panther command vehicle were recently fitted with Enforcer type Remote Weapons Systems (RWS), mounting a remotely controlled day/night thermal sight and automatic weapon (mostly 12.7/7.62mm machine gun).
Next:Â Tethered, Remotely Controlled Sensors to Improve Force Protection
