Lighter vehicles at a turning point (Part 1 of 3)
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Over 4000 light multipurpose vehicles Light Multirole Vehicle various configurations produced by Iveco DV has been sold in the world. In pictures Lince of the Italian Army with installed remotely controlled weapon station Oto Melara Hitrole

While the mission in Afghanistan is nearing completion, and hovers around the general uncertainty about the fact that the Allied ground forces will see in my next mission (or missions), in many armies are very cautious in investing in their vehicles. However, it is possible that light armored vehicles will continue to play a significant role in the future: they are moderately aggressive appearance, their inherent mobility and a huge advantage when it comes to carrying capacity of bridges and the width of the roads, all of which should provide light armored vehicles are good short-term and medium-term prospects .

However, the growing threats in asymmetric conflicts emanating from the rebels of all stripes, forcing the car to provide better protection, which means, at least, with the currently available technology (and budgets), adding mass. So much so that some readers are not ready to accept, such as on the date of the "easy" category could turn into a patrol car on steroids, or "mini-MRAP». However, in many cases it is possible to speak about the current trend.

Many countries, such as Brazil, are still looking for "soft" decisions. As expected, its army will deploy its troops in the amount of the battalion in Lebanon in mid-2014. At the end of November 2013 the Brazilian Army really released the request for proposals for the purchase of a batch of 32 light multipurpose vehicles with GVW of 8 tons. These requirements included payload of one ton and seats up to five. Testing machines to be delivered in early April 2014. Test phase should be relatively short, as the new machine, known as Viatura Blindada Multitarefa, Leve de Rodas (VBMT-LR), in front of the intended deployment will be delivered in the third quarter of 2014 for the purpose of learning. In accordance with the procurement plan provides for the deployment of another order, which will bring the total number of machines to 218 illustrate that "light" machines are still in trend.



Tiger on the chassis Dodge RAM 5500, developed by Textron M & LS and MDT Armor, is an economical car protected with 2-7 seats


JLTV prototype of AM General during the test. The company focuses on the commonality between this machine and the HMMWV, which may give lower operating costs

JLTV project against HUMVEE

As part of the JLTV program 66 trucks and 18 trailers (each company's AM General, Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh in August 2013 delivered on 22 cars and 6 trailers) will be semi-annual testing in the units of the army and marines. Against the background of pessimistic comments about the many programs of the American army press conference at the show AUSA 2013 to JLTV project sounded a bit different, because all three speakers persistently described this new car as one of the top priorities for the new structure of the armed forces. Kevin Fahey of the Office program combat support and logistical support of combat operations stressed that the government crisis in October 2013 had a negative impact on the testing program, as several test sites were closed; "We are now out of the current ideal plan," - he said - but not behind schedule. " Reduction of the armed forces should not affect the number of armored JLTV. Although the park provides for a reduction of light vehicles by 25%, "and therefore we reduce the number of our Humvee», - said the head of JLTV program in the Office for the development of joint programs Kavedo Colonel John and his deputy, Lt. Col. Mike Burks, who also confirmed that the Marine Corps 5500 must machines. At the end of 2013 were field tested and evaluated the readiness for production, while the analysis itself preparedness was held in early 2014. Success however, have not yet fully secured, as difficult decisions on programs of the Ministry of Defence will be taken in the second half of 2014, and the selection of the winning bidder will only happen in 2015.


Motor car JLTV AM General is based on the turbocharged diesel engine Optimizer 3200, which is produced in the United States, which, according to the company, is another plus

Three competing teams can not provide a lot of information particularly, as currently defined requirements and are being tested. The company AM General is an asset that the car is a modern engine local Optimizer 3200. This 3.2-liter engine from General Engine Products developed on the basis of engine Steyr M16 under a license agreement signed in 2009 with the Austrian company Steyr Motors; now it is available at the company's plant in Ohio. The engine has an output of 300 hp at 4300 rev / min, 69 kgm torque at 2200 rev / min. These engines with slightly different characteristics are also installed on the machine AM General HMMW M998, Alvis Scorpion CVR (T), KMW-Rheinmetall AMPV and BAE Systems BVS10. Mass Optimizer 3200 is only 250 kg, the specific power 1.2 ps / kg and power density of 94 ps / l. In AM General also emphasize commonality of their machines JLTV and Humvee, was 40%, which has a positive impact on the value and the fact that the company has a dedicated assembly line for light tactical vehicles.


Team of the companies Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems has decided to transfer all production at the plant in Camden, and has successfully passed the assessment of readiness for production


One of the 22 prototypes EMD, delivered by Lockheed Martin JLTV program in August 2013

In mid-October 2013 the company Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems announced the change of production strategy JLTV, if they win the competition. Prototypes were manufactured at BAE Systems in Texas, the actual production will be transferred to the Lockheed Martin plant in Arkansas. "This will allow us to be more efficient from an economic point of view, to reduce overhead costs and move to a single system of production, logistics and quality," - said vice president of ground vehicles in the company Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Scott Green.

The company Lockheed Martin has used all of its roll-out of 23 cars with factory line in Texas to provide a briefing on which team leaders Green and Mark Signorelli of BAE Systems Land and Armaments stressed that the transfer also shorten the supply chain. The plant is located within 600 miles of major subcontractors, and this is just one day's journey. Team, Lockheed Martin-BAE Systems is considered to transfer the production is very low risk and believe that the problems will not be the beginning of the pre-series production scheduled for 2016. In early December 2013 the company announced that its project team JLTV has successfully completed a state assessment of the readiness for production at its plant in Camden.

For its part, the company Oshkosh mainly relies on the experience gained in the project M-ATV. "We are confident that the six years of preparation and six generations of prototypes, which led us to the final stage of the development and introduction into production, along with lessons learned in the project M-ATV, allowed us to get a machine with a high level of survivability, off-road terrain and fuel efficiency "- said the president of Oshkosh Defence John Urias. Along with the testing company Oshkosh JLTV promoting its armored L-ATV; export version of the machine Army and Marine Corps was first presented at the international arena at the show DSEI 2013. «The differences are very small, positive effect on the commonality of life-cycle costs," - said Urias, while stressing that "in response to the demands of foreign customers additional equipment L-ATV has an open architecture and as a result, increased operational flexibility. "

As can be seen from the statement of Colonel Kavedo modernization program Humvee could suffer from cuts park light tactical vehicles. Program MECV (Modernized Expanded Capacity Vehicle - upgraded car with advanced features) was not in the Pentagon's budget for 2013, and why there is no money for a broad modernization Hummer.



L-ATV - export version of the machine proposed by Oshkosh Defense program for JLTV. 22 prototype of this machine is currently being tested

Nevertheless, the amount of interest to all, and companies continue to make offers, confident that sooner or later some form of serious renovation is necessary because some machines JLTV will be insufficient, while the current fleet of HMMWV Intensify regarding reliability and availability. In addition to America this upgrade can be extended to countries which have taken the car from AM General in the past. Throughout the world, has sold more than 300,000 armored Hummer, of which today is estimated manufacturer remain in the ranks of about 180 000 pieces.



The new chassis is proposed by AM General for the modernization program Humvee, includes numerous enhancements chassis and body frame, which will increase the total weight of the machine

In this regard, the company AM General offers his streamlined chassis with increased reliability Reliability Enhanced HMMWV, which is serially produced for models M1151, M1152 and M1165. After 10 years of R & D is the chassis has been improved by AM General in order to enable it to withstand greater operational weight, which includes and increased payload, full protection for the crew, and modular and expandable kits reservation. The new base unit includes other specific improvements, such as a 400 amp alternator, improved brackets for transportation by air, mounted in front of the compressor, a powerful shock, effective disc brakes, an improved cooling fan drive, more powerful hydraulic actuator, wheel bolts for 24 high-load, durable three aspects of the frame rail, special parking brake and an improved cooling the rear differential. The introduction of these innovations are based on the experience of the machine in the theater; AM General company offers a new chassis as an option "recovery" for those machines that continue to serve in the United States and in the armies of other countries the next 30 years or more.




Combat tactical armored vehicle with high survivability SCTV (Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle) - a proposal to modernize the Humvee, made ​​by Textron Marine & Land Systems, in collaboration with Granite Tactical Vehicles

The company Textron Marine & Land Systems in conjunction with Granite Tactical Vehicles offer SCTV (Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle - combat tactical armored car with a good survivability). He has inhabited monocoque capsule with a V-shaped bottom, which provides a level of protection similar to the level of protection less secure from category MRAP. Textron Company offers to frame Humvee in good condition, remove their old cabins, engines replaced, upgraded or replaced by the suspension depending on the model, to establish a new and improved wheel cab. Modernization of the chassis relatively limited, since the new capsule does not give a big gain weight due to the adopted concept of integrated protection. Mine protection is provided by a V-shaped bottom, the materials of the shell, as well as more clearance. In the rear part of the capsule has been added as the fifth door to facilitate entry and exit. Side of the capsule, including the doors, tilted, which increases protection against ballistic threats and RPG. According to Textron, SCTV project should have cost comparable to the cost of general purpose vehicles of the same class.

Meritor Defense Company offers its own package of enhancements for Humvee in the form of a frame with an upgraded power unit and suspension. Chassis mounted transmission Meritor MXL (Meritor Xtended Lube), which improved hermetic seals prevent the ingress of water and guarantee the protection of lubricants from contamination. This allows to increase the spacing between the universal joints and lubricants sealed portions to 160 000 km, which thus greatly reduces the maintenance costs. Mobility improved mainly due to the installation of an independent suspension ProTec High Mobility Independent Suspension (HMIS) Series 30 The lightest suspension of ProTec Series 30 has a load capacity of 8150 kg per axle and independent wheel travel up to 533 mm.



The decision to modernize the HMMWV, offered by Meritor, can increase the total axle load up to 8.15 tons (inscription on the bumper 18,000 LBS). At the top of the movement in the mode of cross-country, at the bottom - in the "snow, sand, dirt '



To modernize the HMMWV proposed transmission control system DriveCommand from Meritor, centralized system swap wheels SmartFlow, transmission and Meritor MXL independent suspension ProTec (bottom)

The exhibition AUSA 2013 company Meritor Defence showed two new solutions further increase mobility not only Humvee, but also the mobility of the machine JLTV (company goes to a group headed by Lockheed Martin). The first of these system SmartFlow, which periodically checks the tire pressure of each wheel and adjusts it according to the selected type of movement, whether it is the highway, dirt road, dirt / sand / snow or emergency mode. The system is based on the control unit, which is integrated electronics and pneumatics, and which is connected to the bus CAN (bus messaging automotive systems without on-board computer), while on each wheel has a single channel. Addition to SmartFlow is DriveCommand - pneumatic systems of management of transmission, which actively monitors and controls the status differentials and the transfer case, which will be blocked and engage with adequate algorithmic sequence. Electric and pneumatic channels connect the control unit transmission with front and rear axles and transfer cases, the connection to the HMI again carried out by a bus CAN. Modes of operation are the same as in SmartFlow, installation of both systems can be used by a single man-machine interface. Each system weighs only 1.9 kg, and both are connected to a compressed air cylinder. Company Meritor Defense is preparing to begin production systems and SmartFlow DriveCommand, which have been thoroughly tested Marine Corps as part of the modernization program Humvee.



Navistar MXT is available in soft-skinned and armored configuration, as well as a dependent or independent suspension; its mass is heavier options close to 15 tons

Navistar company is still actively promoting his car International MXT.Armored version of MVA keeps the total weight up to 10 tons, but close to 15 tons in an armored (ISS) variant and variant APC. The main operator of this machine is the British Army with the ordered in April 2009, 262 machines MXT-MVA (in the British Army known as Husky); then in September 2010, followed by an order for another 89 vehicles.Gross axle load of 8.6 tonnes with payload capacity of about 1.6 tons, in the car for four people. Patrol variant is equipped with a secure installation of weapons with a 12.7 mm machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, while the support option is the installation of weapons with a machine gun 7.62 mm.


Armored Car Humvee, a modernized company Textron M & LS program SCTV, the exhibition AUSA 2013. It is based on an armored monocoque V-shaped capsule crew, which is installed on the upgraded chassis Humvee


Currently offers several programs to modernize the good old Humvee. In the photo comparison of the classical version (left) with a modernized version offered by Oshkosh