For the first time at DSEI the Griffon hovercraft 2400TD in demonstration on the water DSEI 2011

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DSEI 2011
International Defence & Security Equipment Exhibition
Excel London, United Kingdom
13 - 16 September 2011
 
Griffon hovercraft at DSEI 2011
 
 
Thursday, August 19, 2011, 08:45 AM
 
For the first time at DSEI the Griffon hovercraft 2400TD in demonstration on the water.
 
For the first time at DSEi, a hovercraft will be giving demonstrations on the water at this year’s exhibition. An in-service Royal Marines 2400TD will form part of the Waterborne Demonstration outside the South Hall on Victoria Dock. The craft will be running twice daily, allowing press, visitors and VIPs to be given a working overview of the craft which has been operated by the Royal Marines for over 17 years.
     
For the first time at DSEi, a hovercraft will be giving demonstrations on the water at this year’s exhibition. An in-service Royal Marines 2400TD will form part of the Waterborne Demonstration outside the South Hall on Victoria Dock. The craft will be running twice daily, allowing press, visitors and VIPs to be given a working overview of the craft which has been operated by the Royal Marines for over 17 years.
Griffon hovercraft 2400TD
     

Having experienced the benefits of the hovercraft over many years, the Royal Marines recently decided to upgrade their fleet by purchasing the 2400TD Griffon hovercraft. These new 13 metre, high speed fully amphibious craft are based on the original 2000TD model and were designed with the Royal Marines in mind. They offer greater payload, performance and obstacle clearance than the previous model and can carry a crew of two (driver and commander) plus sixteen fully equipped Marine Commandos.

Operating at speeds in excess of 40 knots, and with a range of over 300 miles, these craft are able to land the marines dry-shod across shallow water on beaches or penetrate further inland as required. They also provide stable weapons and surveillance platforms, even whilst the craft is manoeuvring. Equipped with the latest thermal imaging and navigation and communications equipment these truly all terrain vehicles will travel with ease over the shallow water, fast flowing rivers, vegetation, rapids, ice and snow that the Royal Marines encounter .

A further hovercraft, the 380TD, will be on display at stand N4-110 alongside The RANGER armoured vehicle from sister company Universal Advanced System where you will be able to meet with staff from both teams and book relevant appointments.
     
The 380TD is the smallest craft in the Griffon range, capable of carrying 6 persons or a payload of 450kgs. The 380TD is a rugged rigid-inflatable hovercraft and benefits from having two diesel engines, one for lift and one for thrust, improving craft control. With the optional hover-on hover-off trailer, one person can quickly and easily transport and operate this unique vessel virtually anywhere and is ideally suited to applications such as Policing, Coastguard, Search and Rescue, Amphibious Assault, Reconnaissance, Medical Evacuation, Mine Counter Measures and Logistics.
Griffon hovercraft 380TD
     
The 380TD is the smallest craft in the Griffon range, capable of carrying 6 persons or a payload of 450kgs. The 380TD is a rugged rigid-inflatable hovercraft and benefits from having two diesel engines, one for lift and one for thrust, improving craft control. With the optional hover-on hover-off trailer, one person can quickly and easily transport and operate this unique vessel virtually anywhere and is ideally suited to applications such as Policing, Coastguard, Search and Rescue, Amphibious Assault, Reconnaissance, Medical Evacuation, Mine Counter Measures and Logistics.

For many countries, the threat of a natural disaster, including tsunamis, typhoons and earthquakes, is prevalent. Hovercraft are an essential element of any recovery plan following these events by providing fast, amphibious evacuation and transporting vital medical supplies to those in need. Unlike conventional boats, hovercraft do not need to operate in deep water and can take the most direct path from land to water, providing the most efficient rescue response possible. As many rescue personnel can testify to, the first few hours of a disaster are crucial and a hovercraft will maximise the chance of saving as many lives as possible.

This is a message reiterated by the Pakistan Navy during their rescue operations. The unprecedented floods in Pakistan, caused by the monsoon rain during 2010, were the worst in history according to experts in the area. Up to 2.5 million people were affected by the flood waters in north-west Pakistan. The Pakistan Navy used their Griffon 2000TD, which were utilised to provide aid relief to the worst-affected areas. In just two months since the flooding began, the Pakistan Navy rescued a total of 174,215 personnel and distributed 728,126kg of food and relief goods to flood-affected areas. Without the capabilities of a hovercraft this might not have been possible.