British high mobility vehicle specialist, Supacat has been invited to tender in competition it’s all new, all British Supacat Protected Vehicle 400 series (SPV400) for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) Programme.

Under an Urgent Operational Requirement the UK MoD is expected to order an initial batch of 200 vehicles to enter service in late 2011.

The receipt of the Invitation to Tender follows the purchase earlier this year by UK MoD of two SPV400 vehicles as part of its ongoing risk reduction activity on the LPPV programme.

Last week the SPV400 was subjected to a second round of blast tests as part of the vehicle's development programme. The results underwrote Supacat's philosophy of future proofing the SPV400 design by aiming for protection levels above those within the LPPV requirement. Further refinement of the design is taking place prior to another round of testing next month.

If the SPV400 is successful in winning in the competition we believe it will give British troops the protection and mobility they need against the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on operations in Afghanistan. It combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including all composite protected crew pod and V-shaped hull. It has exceptional all terrain high mobility performance, comparable to the Supacat designed Jackal, and the agility to manoeuvre in tight urban environments.

A modular and future-proofed design allows the SPV400 to be upgraded to meet new threats and requirements.

The V shaped hull will protect the crew in an under-belly mine strike scenario. The modular approach will also enable the SPV400 to be repaired in theatre following mine blast incidents by replacing the damaged module(s).

“I am particularly pleased with the repair aspects of this testing as our offering has been designed to reduce through life costs by having the ability to be repaired in theatre. The modular and sacrificial approach reduces overall damage to the system and will allow LPPVs to be put back on the road quickly. With the SPV400, the MoD will not have to write a vehicle off each time there is a mine strike”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

The SPV400 is designed by Devon based Supacat, the world leader in high mobility, all terrain vehicles. Its armour protection partner is Coventry based NP Aerospace, which has designed the composite crew pod and protection system with access to the UK’s classified armour technology. Supacat and NP Aerospace have formed an Alliance Agreement under which volume production will be conducted through the Alliance at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility. Supacat and NP Aerospace have proven track records in supplying and supporting vehicles in service with British Forces in Afghanistan, with Supacat responsible for Jackal and Coyote and NP Aerospace for Mastiff and Ridgback.

All Intellectual Property Rights for the SPV400 are UK based with the automotive solution residing with Supacat and the protection system with NP Aerospace. The Design Authority is held by Supacat. This means the UK retains full control over future design upgrades and the SPV400 is free from US ITAR restrictions. Potential future export revenues will be retained in the UK. The selection of the SPV400 for LPPV would strengthen the UK’s innovation and engineering skills base and support manufacturing jobs, sustaining between 1000 and 1200 jobs throughout the UK.

Supacat
04.06.2010