TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

Multimillion-euro order: Austrian Armed Forces Award Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Framework Contract for Logistic Vehicles

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles has signed a framework agreement with the Austrian procurement organization Bundesbeschaffung GmbH Wien to supply various logistics vehicles for the Austrian Armed Forces. Encompassing the delivery of up to 1,375 HX, TGS and TGM vehicles, the framework agreement runs for seven years. Potential order volume could reach up to €525 million.

The Austrian government’s request for tenders comprised a total of 23 lots, of which six were earmarked for the military. Given the various technical requirements for the lots, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) proposed vehicles from the TGM, TGS and HX model series with different axle configurations. RMMV’s proposal also included a variety of build-on systems such as cranes, platforms and tippers as well as roll-off, swap body and snow removal systems. RMMV received the go-ahead to supply Austria with all six lots of military vehicles.

“We’re very proud to be supplying the Austrian armed forces with state-of-the-art truck systems built at our plant in Vienna”, says Michael Wittlinger, chairman of the board of management of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles. “Our claim at Rheinmetall is to equip those who stand up for our security in the best possible way. We are convinced that our vehicles will protect, support and satisfy Austrian soldiers in the best possible way.”

Procurement of the logistic vehicles is part of a comprehensive modernization of the Austrian Army. “From now until the year 2029, €560 million will be invested in modernizing 170 armored vehicles, including 58 Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks and 112 Ulan infantry fighting vehicles”, declares Austrian defence minister Klaudia Tanner. ”Following the €873 million invested in procuring 36 AW169 ‚Lion‘ helicopters, this is the next big step in achieving a modern Army. Concrete steps like this are making the slogan ‘Mission Forward!’ a reality”, insists Tanner.

The Austrian armed forces have long been a very good customer of RMMV. They already successfully operate various vehicles from the company’s TGM, TGS and HX model series. Today, over 200 vehicles from the TGM model series with a double cabin and interchangeable build-on systems are in service. Furthermore, during the next few years, vehicles from the HX series with a three-sided tipper and rear-mounted crane will be delivered, as will vehicles from the TGS 8×8 series equipped with a Palfinger hook system. Since the end of 2021, the Austrian military has been using RMMV’s integrated armoured cabin, which, depending on requirements, can be mounted on existing HX trucks in very short order.

RMMV is a joint venture owned by Rheinmetall AG, which holds a 51% stake in the company, and MAN Truck & Bus SE, with the remaining 49% share. 

SOF Week 23 – MRZR Alpha from Polaris

Tuesday, May 9th, 2023

SOF Week is the first time Polaris showed the Arctic mobility package as a whole on the MRZR Alpha including the Arctic camouflage wrap. Other recent vehicle updates include a recently completed Engineering Change Proposal to increase the towing capacity to 2500 lbs.

Another ECP in progress increases the exportable power while maintaining full cargo space and payload. Currently the MRZR Alpha has 1 kilowatt of exportable power. The ECP in progress will provide an additional 1 kilowatt and as much as 5 kilowatts both stationary and on the move.

Flyer Defense to Unveil Never Before Seen “Hunter Killer” Configuration at new SOF Week 2023

Tuesday, May 9th, 2023

Flyer 72-Heavy Duty with Hunter Killer Configuration Kit

TAMPA (April. 28, 2023) – Flyer Defense, the designer of the ultimate light tactical ground mobility vehicle will unveil its latest configuration of the Flyer 72-Heavy Duty (Flyer 72-HD) at the new SOF Week convention in Tampa.

Integrated with the exMHR/Hero-120 configuration kit, or “Hunter Killer,” the featured Flyer 72-HD boasts an on-the move self-contained strike capability, from onboard detection and tracking to pinpoint strike capability. This year, the Flyer 72-HD will be equipped with the exMHR Enhanced & Extended Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar from Leonardo DRS and Hero-120 loitering munition system from Mistral and UVision. 

Combined with the pinpoint strike capabilities of the Hero-120, the exMHR Doppler radar technology further transforms the armored Flyer platform, protecting its occupants from both long and short-range threats.

The “Hunter Killer” is the latest in a string of new Flyer configurations as the company continues to expand platform capabilities while maintaining a live production line.

Flyer Defense will make its home in Booth #1505 for the duration of the show. The Flyer 72-Utility variant will also be on display, equipped with the Hero-120 configuration kit in Mistral Group’s Booth 111 just outside of the convention center.

The Flyer® family of ground mobility vehicle platforms is the elite solution in the area of lightweight, all terrain wheeled tactical vehicles. With an impressive payload of more than 5,000 lbs. and a 1:1 payload-to-weight ratio, Flyer Defense vehicles are transportable both internally and externally with rotary and tilt wing aircraft. The Flyer® 72 is currently in production for the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and in use as the USSOCOM Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1. (GMV 1.1) solution and the U.S. Army A-GMV solution. 

Germany Buys 227 Additional BAE Systems BvS10s Through Framework Agreement

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — April 24, 2023 – Germany is investing in an additional 227 ultra- mobile, protected, all-terrain BvS10 vehicles from BAE Systems. The German contract, worth around $400 million, follows the joint procurement by Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom in support of Arctic operations for the Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program, with Sweden as the lead nation. This will extend the deliveries from the framework agreement, which are to begin in 2024, out to 2030.

“This framework agreement streamlines the process by allowing prospective and existing customers to acquire vehicles at previously negotiated terms, while also benefiting from the joint development,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds, which manufactures the vehicles in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. “This will secure Germany’s access to these highly capable vehicles for decades to come, and demonstrates the strong relationship between BAE Systems and our customer.”

BAE Systems’ military all-terrain vehicles are designed for operations in the harshest and most remote environments, and this agreement signals the company’s position as the defense industry’s leader in these capabilities. The new contract is for additional troop transport vehicles and armored personnel carriers (APCs), as well as three new German BvS10 versions; Command and Control (C2), and two logistics variants that will add combat support to the German Armed Forces.

The BvS10 (and Beowulf) are world-leading all-terrain solutions. Their articulated mobility systems provide optimal maneuverability across varying terrains including snow, ice, rock, sand, mud, swamps, and steep mountain environments. The vehicles’ amphibious feature also allows them to swim in flooded areas or coastal waters. The vehicles can deliver personnel and supplies to sustain strategic, tactical, and operational mobility.

BvS10’s unprecedented mobility is based on terrain accessible North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards. Its modular design allows it to be reconfigured for varying missions and can be delivered in multiple variants that include carrying personnel, command and control, ambulance, vehicle repair and recovery, logistics support, situational awareness, and a weapons carrier with additional mortar capability.

The vehicle is currently operated by Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. BAE Systems’ Beowulf, the unarmored variant of the BvS10, won the U.S.

Army’s competition for its Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program in August. The U.S. Army will receive 110 vehicles over a five-year period.

5th SFG(A) Runs Two MRZR in MINT 400 Race

Saturday, April 8th, 2023

5th Group entered two Polaris MRZR Alphas in the recent MINT 400 Offroad race in Primm, Nevada.

Special Forces Operational Detachments negotiated the long distance, off-road course to hone their skills and vehicle maneuver capabilities.

Infantry Squad Vehicle Program Approved for Full-Rate Production

Friday, April 7th, 2023

Providing a “better boot” for Army units

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. — The U.S. Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) program was approved by the Program Executive Officer for Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) on March 30 to transition to Full-Rate Production, or FRP. This green light represents a major Army acquisition programmatic milestone in “motorizing” Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, Security Force Assistance Brigades, as well as Army Ranger units. The Army Acquisition Objective currently stands at 2,593 ISVs.

The Army in June 2020 selected GM Defense LLC to produce the ISV. Based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture, the ISV derives a high percentage of its parts from commercial-off-the-shelf components. The Army’s newest light tactical vehicle is dubbed a “better boot,” and its basic operational capabilities include:

Nine-Soldier squad carrying capability

3,200-lb. payload

External sling load/external lift by UH-60/CH-47 helicopters

Low-velocity air drop by fixed-wing C-130 and C-17 transport

Exceptional mobility over a wide variety of terrain.

John Hufstedler, product director, Ground Mobility Vehicles, PEO CS&CSS, said, “The comprehensive team responsible for bringing the ISV program to a full-rate production decision not only involves Army Acquisition professionals assigned to our PEO, but also relevant stakeholders and collaborative partners representing the Army’s funding community, Army Futures Command, Army Forces Command, Army Materiel Command and the testing community.

“Soldier touchpoints, developmental testing and operational testing have been key elements throughout the ISV program,” Hufstedler continued. “Leveraging a commercial vehicle and the world-class manufacturing capability of GM Defense has helped compress the time it takes to field a modernized capability meeting infantry Soldiers’ needs.”

The ISV has been rigorously tested, including production qualification testing and transportability certification, which included low-velocity air drops and helicopter sling loading. Developmental and operational testing enable units to train while offering feedback to the requirements and acquisition communities. This is aimed at improving a system’s utility and operational effectiveness in Soldier’s hands, as well as suitability for the environments in which Soldiers train and fight.

Reliability testing concluded earlier this year, which completed the ISV production qualification test.

To date, the Army has accepted more than 300 ISVs and has fielded three brigade sets of 59 vehicles, for a total of 177. The program is on track to continue to meet fielding plans, with two Brigade sets fielding this June.

By Rae Higgins, Program Executive Office Combat Support & Combat Service Support

Enforce Tac 23 – Range Extended Electrical Quad

Thursday, March 9th, 2023

REEQ is a diesel hybrid, scalable, modular platform which can be configured in a variety of ways including Side by Side or Quad bike setup.

REEQ can be manned or unmanned, remote or autonomous.

It was designed using COTS components which are easily obtainable on the market.

REEQ offers 50km range with up to 1000km using a range extender and a top speed of 85km/h.

Here it is set up to run a small, mobile command post.

US Army Announces Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Follow-on Production Award

Tuesday, February 21st, 2023

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. (Feb. 9, 2023) – The Army announced today the award of a requirements contract with five base ordering years plus five one-year optional ordering periods to AM General LLC for estimated Joint and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) production of up to 20,682 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and up to 9,883 JLTV Trailers. The total contract value is $8.66 billion.  This competitive follow-on production contract has been part of the JLTV acquisition strategy from the beginning and focused on a best value determination that includes retaining the capability of the JLTV today, while ensuring that it can be upgraded in the future with the latest technologies.

The JLTV follow-on contract strategy was designed to provide a fair and competitive environment, while ensuring the Army obtained a premier manufacturer that delivers the highest quality, most capable, and affordable tactical vehicle in the world.

The JLTV follow-on contract request for proposal, in accordance with the Army Climate Strategy, sought to incentivize offerors to propose fuel efficiency technologies that targeted on-the-move fuel economy improvements and anti-idle capability in support of optimizing combat effectiveness. The JLTV A2 design is the first tactical wheeled vehicle with baseline architecture utilizing lithium-ion batteries, which is a key enabler for anti-idle capability.

Effective competition is the critical element for controlling cost and maximizing buying power for the government. The JLTV engagement strategy with industry has been very successful in establishing executable timelines, adding mature technology insertions, and providing transparency throughout the process to allow contractors to make individual business decisions.

“One of the key strategies of the JLTV program from its earliest days was to leverage competition to control cost and maximize buying power for the government,” said Brig. Gen. Samuel L. “Luke” Peterson, program executive officer, Combat Support & Combat Service Support. “From the start of production, the government procured the data rights to the JLTV Technical Data Package from the original equipment manufacturer, which the program leverages to conduct future production competitions and control the platform’s configuration and vehicle price well into the future. These government-held data rights permitted the program to compete this follow-on production contract with much better control of the production configuration and cost.”

To ensure the JLTV follow-on production contract was robustly competitive, the government focused on rigorous communication with its industry partners. This consistent communication strategy included prior notifications to the current contractor that future contracts were intended to be competitive. The original JLTV contract was awarded in August 2015 to Oshkosh Defense, and the Technical Data Package option was ordered shortly thereafter.

“Our industry partners are essential to ensure we deliver critical, advanced technology and capabilities like the JLTV to our warfighters,” said Brig. Gen. David Walsh, commander of Marine Corps Systems Command. “We look forward to partnering with AM General to build upon this proven platform and ensure our warfighters have the latest in vehicle technology.”

Since August 2019, Joint Program Office JLTV actively engaged the light tactical wheeled vehicle industrial base. The feedback received from market research was instrumental in framing the acquisition plan, which was approved by the Army Acquisition Executive in November 2020. The plan:

Focused on and extended the presolicitation period

Provided multiple draft Request for Proposal releases that sought feedback to shape the solicitation and eliminate barriers

Provided lease vehicles to provide a deeper level of understanding for the nonincumbents

Released both the JLTV A1 and A2 Technical Data Packages to provide competitive balance

Enabled multiple static displays and one-on-one sessions with government subject matter experts

Provided a responsive Q&A forum, resulting in active industry engagement (more than 400 questions submitted and corresponding responses.)

The JLTV Family of Vehicles, an Army-led joint program with the U.S. Marine Corps, closes capability gaps in the light tactical vehicle fleets. JLTVs can perform multiple mission roles and are designed to provide protected, sustained, networked mobility for personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations. The JLTV brings increased protection and performance to the fleet; minimizes ownership costs by maximizing commonality, fuel efficiency and reliability; and maintains effective competition throughout its life cycle. Commonality of components, maintenance procedures, training, etc., between vehicles is expected to be inherent in Family of Vehicle solutions across mission variants to minimize total ownership cost.

The JLTV program has been lauded as a model of successful acquisition. It has received two David Packard for Acquisition Excellence Awards as well as Department of Defense Should-Cost and Innovation Awards.

By Sam Tricomo, Program Executive Office Combat Support & Combat Service Support