The new `Coyote` Tactical Support Vehicle (Light), due to enter service later this year in support of operations in Afghanistan, received its official launch today by Quentin Davies, Minister, Defence Equipment and Services, at DVD, the annual event showcasing land equipment for the UK’s Armed Forces.

Designed by Supacat, over 70 of the new Coyote vehicles are being manufactured by Babcock alongside the existing Jackal 2 production line.

“The `Coyote` is the latest Supacat product developed to meet the rapidly evolving operational requirements of our armed forces. Coyote is an exciting new variant that will take the capability levels, both in terms of protection and mobility, of support type platforms way above that previously on offer to the UK forces”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

`Coyote` shares common design features with the Jackal 2 and provides the same increased levels of protection and mobility. It’s 6x6 configuration offers a higher payload of up to 3,000 kilos and provides a large, flexible load space at the rear of the vehicle. Powered by the same 6.7 litre turbo-charged Cummins engine `Coyote` is equipped with a gun-ring and seats up to four crew.

In April a £74 million contract was awarded to Supacat as prime contractor, supported by Babcock as vehicle manufacturer, in response to the UK MoD’s latest Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to deliver more than 70 of the new 6x6 `Coyote` TSV(L) and around 110 Jackal 2, the enhanced, latest iteration of the widely acclaimed ‘Jackal’ weapons-mounted 4x4 patrol vehicle, also designed by Supacat and manufactured by Babcock. The contract for Coyote and Jackal 2 is part of the £700 million Protected Mobility Package announced by the MoD in late 2008.

“The ‘Coyote’ will be built at Devonport using the same successful continuous improvement manufacturing techniques and ‘pulse line’ production that have been successfully applied to produce the Jackal vehicles at a rate of one per day,” Babcock Equipment Solutions Managing Director Roger Gillespie said. “A number of Jackal 2 patrol vehicles have already been built and delivered under the latest UOR contract, with the first of the Coyotes scheduled for delivery this month.”

To deliver the contract Supacat and Babcock have formed an innovative alliance to ensure the UK Armed Forces receive the best possible equipment within the shortest possible timescale, working with the MoD’s Protected Mobility Team in a close and open partnering relationship. As the design authority Supacat is responsible for design, development, prototyping, integration and overall programme management. Babcock is responsible for detailed production planning, purchasing and manufacture at its Devonport dockyard facility. A single project office, located at Supacat’s facility in Dunkeswell, Devon, provides overall control.

Supacat
24.06.2009