VIENNA -- General Dynamics European Land System (GDELS) will present the Medium Trackway Bridge (MTB), the latest member of its bridge family, the PIRANHA 3 with an Overhead Weapon Station and the EAGLE light tactical vehicle with a Remote Control Weapon (RCW) station at the DSEi 2011 exhibition in London from 13-16th September 2011.

General Dynamics developed the Medium Trackway Bridge (MTB) in response to the increased need for an autonomous gap-crossing capability for ground forces. The MTB is a lightweight, aluminium-made modular bridge for military and civil vehicles up to MLC 40. The MTB is designed to produce bridge lengths of 2, 4, 6 or 8 meters. The individual bridge modules can be transported directly on the tactical vehicle and can easily be launched and retrieved from the same vehicle by its own crew with a simple launching adapter. With a team of 4 soldiers the launching / retrieving time for a 4 m MTB is approximately 10 minutes. The MTB enables tactical vehicles with little or no gap- crossing capability to enhance their manoeuvrability on the battlefield without relying on bridge engineer units, resulting in active protection by avoiding potential risk areas.

Out part of the PIRANHA family of vehicles, the PIRANHA 3 will be on display with the Oto Melara HITFIST Overhead Weapon Station, armed with the 30 mm automatic gun, co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun and the SPIKE anti-tank missile launcher. The most versatile and battle-proven, PIRANHA 3 is widely used by numerous Armed Forces, particularly for operations in peacekeeping missions all over the world. The configuration on displayed is an example of an Infantry Fighting

Vehicle with a three-man crew and up to eight seats in the back. Protected against the most significant threats such as mines, improvised explosive devices (IED) and ballistic attacks, the PIRANHA still provides the necessary payload for any mission.

To meet the incresing demand for protection and payload, General Dynamics European Land Systems offers the new EAGLE vehicle. Due to its higher payload capacity, it can carry more equipment or heavier protection solutions, depending on the customer's requirements. The vehicle will be shown with the Rafael SAMSON RWS (Remote Control Weapon Station), armed with a 40 mm grenade launcher and a 7.62 mm machine gun. This highly mobile vehicle, with a crew capacity of 4 - to 5 soldiers, offers outstanding protection against ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) threats. Interchangeable automotive parts and components with DURO armoured or soft- skinned vehicles provide a cost-effective logistics commonality. The Swiss Army has already procured the latest version of the EAGLE in an explosive ordnance disposal role to meet an urgent operational requirement. Moreover, two vehicles, one in a command and control variant and one in a utility/pick-up version, have been bought by the Australian Army for its Land 121 programme trials.

General Dynamics
20.07.2011