Brit Cougars

[big bad john]

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/NewProtectedPatrolVehiclesForIraqAndAfghanistanPutThroughTheirPaces.htm

New Protected Patrol Vehicles for Iraq and Afghanistan put through their paces
14 Sep 06
New vehicles designed to help protect British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan were demonstrated on Salisbury Plain on 13 September 2006.


The new Mastiff PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle) being demonstrated at West Hill Farm, Salisbury Plain
[Picture: Andrew Linett]
The Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Drayson, said the Cougar and Vector vehicles were a significant step forward in helping troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to carry out their tasks more safely.

"We are one hundred per cent committed to giving our troops what they need," he said.

"Within force protection there is no perfect solution, it is a high risk business, but these vehicles are really excellent and will offer increased protection."


Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, at the demonstration of the new vehicles at West Hill Farm, Salisbury Plain
[Picture: Andrew Linett]
Vector provides good protection and, importantly, increased mobility and capacity compared to Snatch Landrovers which makes it very suitable for the rugged terrain and long patrol distances in Afghanistan. It is expected that deliveries of Vector will begin early in 2007.

The Mastiff PPV (a variant of the US Cougar) meets the requirement for a well protected, wheeled patrol vehicle with a less intimidating profile than tracked vehicles like Warrior or FV430.

The vehicles will be customised with essential Bowman radios and electronic counter-measures – and then fitted with additional armour beyond the standard level, to ensure they have the best possible protection. They are expected to arrive in Iraq by the end of 2006.


The new VECTOR vehicle , part of a new package of vehicles to compliment heavily armoured Warriors and lighter Snatch patrol vehicles
[Picture: Sgt Gary Tyson]
Before the recent announcement of new vehicles, the Ministry of Defence had already spent over £527m on Urgent Operational Requirements for Iraq and Afghanistan designed to improve force protection. This is in addition to the planned £6bn annual defence procurement budget.

Force Protection Urgent Operational Requirement – Key Facts

Expenditure on Force Protection

Iraq – over £404M spent
Afghanistan - over £123M
Total of over £527M: In addition to £6bn annual defence procurement budget
£147M on vehicle and personal protection
£181M on aircraft protection
£199M on ECM
Vehicle protection already completed

Protection upgrades for AFVs including Challenger 2, Warrior, FV430 (in progress), Saxon, CVR(T), Challenger Armoured Recovery Vehicles
Conversion of Saxon to produce armoured ambulances including air-con
Conversion and new-build of Snatch Mk2 Land Rovers
Protected vehicles for specialist tasks, such as VIP transport
Blast and ballistic protection for soft-skin B vehicles including DROPs, recovery vehicles, Heavy Equipment Transporters
Machine-gun mounts for self-defence of Heavy Equipment Transporters
Wire cutter defences (in progress) for vehicles – local immediate modifications will be replaced by purpose-designed kit
Personal protection

Osprey Improved Combat Body Armour for normal operational duties
Kestrel Enhanced Protection Body Armour for top-cover sentries
Body armour for specialist personnel
Ballistic Eye Protection
Camp/base surveillance and attack alarm systems
ECM/EOD

Comprehensive Electronic Counter-Measures suites for all vehicle and foot patrols
Training versions of ECM for pre-deployment training
Specialist ECM to support Explosive Ordnance Disposal tasks
Protected specialist vehicles for EOD teams
Lightweight heli-borne EOD vehicles for Afghanistan
Improved lightweight EOD robot vehicles
Mine clearance equipment
Aircraft protection

Explosion Suppressant Foam being installed on C-130s
Improved defensive aids suites for air transport and helicopters
Improved flares
Improved communications for air transport and helicopters to aid situational awareness
Flight deck armour for air transport and Nimrods

 

[Franko]

Army breaks in the £250,000 Cougar
By Richard Savill
(Filed: 14/09/2006)

The Army yesterday demonstrated its new armoured vehicle, which is designed to relieve the hard-pressed snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 20 ton, six-seater US Cougar has been rushed into service following concern at rising casualties among British soldiers from roadside bombs.
Armoured vehicle

A demonstration of the Army's new bomb-resistant Cougar on Salisbury Plain

The Ministry of Defence has ordered 100 of the wheeled patrol vehicles, which are used by US troops in Iraq and cost more than £250,000 each. They have been taken from US Marine production lines. The vehicles, one of which was demonstrated on Salisbury Plain yesterday, are said to be able to drive over an Iraqi roadside bomb with little more than a shudder.

Lord Drayson, the minister for defence procurement, said: "This is the best there is in terms of force protection. It is an example of the way we have to respond with more agility to the threats which we face."

British equipment on the air conditioned Cougars includes more armour, more sophisticated radios, and electronic counter measures. The tyres are bullet and bomb resistant, and cruising speed is 55mph.

The Cougars and 150 Vector vehicles, also purchased by the MoD, will be delivered in batches to Iraq and Afghanistan over the next six months.

The MoD said Cougars would be in place in Iraq by the end of the year. The Vector vehicles are bigger and more mobile than snatch Land Rovers, which are designed to withstand small arms fire but are vulnerable to roadside bombs.

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