According to a video released by General Dynamics (GD) UK on its Twitter account on April 27, 2020, in recent months, General Dynamics UK has been undertaking a wide-range of AJAX Reliability Growth Trials. The AJAX, formerly known as the Scout SV (Specialist Vehicle), is a family of tracked armored vehicles being developed by General Dynamics UK for the British Army to replace the family of CVRT reconnaissance tracked armored.
General Dynamics UK AJAX 40mm turret tracked armored vehicle. (Picture source print screen footage General Dynamics UK)
In 2010, General Dynamics UK was selected as the winner of the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) contract with the ASCOD Common Base Platform. The Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) program was launched to procure two classes of vehicle: a tracked armored reconnaissance 'specialist vehicle' (FRES SV) to replace the CVR(T); and a wheeled 'utility vehicle' (FRES UV) to replace a number of legacy systems including the Saxon armored personnel carrier (APC), FV432, and some elements of the CVR(T) family. The AJAX family will include six variants, AJAX with 40mm turret, ARES Protected Mobility Recce Support, APOLLO repair armored vehicle, ATHENA command post, ATLAS armored recovery vehicle and ARGUS engineer armored vehicle.
At DSEI 2015, the International Defense Exhibition in London (UK), the Scout SV has received its new official name, the AJAX. Under a contract awarded late 2014, General Dynamics UK to build a total of 589 Scout SVs for the British army, with deliveries running from 2017 through to 2024.
In September 2018 at the DVD defense exhibition in Millbrook United Kingdom, General Dynamics has displayed four variants of AJAX program including the AJAX intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) vehicle, APOLLO used to tow battlefield damaged vehicles and lift heavy sub-assemblies, ATLAS tracked Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) and ARES formerly called PMRS Protected Mobility Reconnaissance vehicle, used to deliver and support specialist troops across the battlefield. General Dynamics Land Systems–UK has demonstrated the capabilities of the AJAX Family of Tracked Armored Vehicles at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), in September 2019.
General Dynamics UK ARES reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle. (Picture source print screen footage General Dynamics UK)
The video released by General Dynamics UK shown two vehicles of the AJAX family including the AJAX fitted with a 40mm turret and the ARES, the APC version in the AJAX family.
The AJAX previously named Scout SV is fitted with a two-man turret developed by Lockheed Martin UK, armed with a 40mm automatic cannon from the Company CTA International and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The Ajax has a crew of three including the driver, commander and gunner. The hull and the turret of the AJAX provide ballistic protection up to STANAG 4569 Level 4 all-around against the firing of weapons 14.5mm caliber.
The AJAX is motorized with a 600kW MTU Diesel engine coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km with a maximum cruising range of 500 km.
Standard equipment of AJAX Scout SV includes mobile camouflage system, fire detection system, electronic countermeasure system, day/night vision and CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) protection system manufactured by Smith Detection able to alert the crew in case of a chemical attack or the existence of persistent chemical agents. Day and night vision of AJAX includes LSA (Local Situational Awareness) system providing a combination of cameras and thermal imagers covering the whole spectrum of imagery needs and a full panoramic view of the situation.
The ARES previously named PMRS (Protected Mobility Recce Support) will provide safe transportation of fully-equipped soldiers in a well-protected environment. On dismount, troops will be able to more effectively conduct a variety of tasks, such as dismounted surveillance (including patrols), observation posts and close target reconnaissance.
ARES AJAX will be fitted with a Kongsberg Protector Remote Weapon Station armed with a 12.7mm machine gun. The turret is equipped with a Detached Line of Sight (DLOS) that enables the gunner to keep his sights on target, independent of ballistic solution for the weapon/ammunition in use.
The ARES can carry a total of 6 soldiers’ including driver and gunner. As for the AJAX, it offers the same level of protection and mobility.
