General Dynamics UK unveils MTR Mobile Test Rig precursor of prototype SV Specialist Vehicle 1109131

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DSEI 2013
International Defence & Security Exhibition
10 - 13 September 2013
London, United Kingdom
 
General Dynamics SV Specialist Vehicle at DSEI 2013
 
 
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 08:15 PM
 
General Dynamics UK unveils MTR Mobile Test Rig precursor of prototype SV Specialist Vehicle.
General Dynamics UK’s Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme has continued apace since DSEI 2011 when it first unveiled a representative prototype of SCOUT SV, the reconnaissance variant of the SV family. Since then, General Dynamics UK has been putting its Mobile Test Rig (MTR) – the precursor to a prototype Specialist Vehicle (SV) – through an extensive series of trials.
     

General Dynamics UK Mobile Test Rig (MTR) – the precursor to a prototype Specialist Vehicle (SV) at DSEI 2013, International Defense & Security event in London, United Kingdom.
     

The MTR, officially unveiled at DSEI 2013, will play a key role in reducing risk and maximising the reliability of the SV platform and its common components through a rigorous series of trials, which began in June 2012 and are moving into the final phase. The MTR is similar in design to the Protected Mobility Recce Support (PMRS) variant of SV, which itself is capable of carrying a crew of two and up to four dismountable troops.

The MTR began its tests just three weeks after the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed in its Planning Round 2012 (PR12) on 14 May 2013 that funding for its Armoured Vehicle Programme (AVP), which includes the Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme, is part of its core programme of committed funding, thus protecting the core component of Force 2020 for the British Army.

To date, the MTR has undertaken an extensive series of trials, including cold weather and Operational and Tactical (O&T) mobility trials, which has resulted in it completing a distance of over 1,800km. The O&T trials demonstrated the vehicles ability to withstand extreme lower temperatures and to meet the demanding mobility requirements of the SV programme, during which the MTR towed a total of 92 tonnes train weight over 300km.

The next phase of trialling will be the grueling Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) schedule designed to replicate pre-defined battlefield missions and conditions. On completion of the ALT activities, MTR will have covered over 10,000km and will have provided crucial reliability and performance data to inform the design and manufacture of the six demonstration phase prototype SV platforms.
     
     
“As SV will be the British Army’s core Armoured Fighting Vehicle capability for the next 30 to 40 years, it needs to be prepared. These extensive MTR trials mean that it will be ready to face future battlefield challenges” commented Kevin Connell, vice president, Land Systems at General Dynamics UK.

An additional advantage of testing with the MTR is the ability of the SV team to refine the processes that will be used when the trials are carried out on the prototype vehicles. Those processes include the Trials Readiness Review (TRR), including vehicle sign-off, and the UK MoD frequently used Data Recording Analysis and Corrective Action System (DRACAS). The TRR and vehicle sign-off allows the SV team to confirm that the vehicle is ready to commence trials, with all supporting documentation and the appropriate support, spares and trained personnel available. The DRACAS system ensures that all incidents and key activities that occur during the trials programme are captured, analysed and acted upon. This is a closed-loop system that ensures that any weaknesses or deficiencies revealed by the testing are addressed in the evolving design.

The MTR tests will prepare SV for its final UK MoD trials, which have some of the most demanding reliability targets ever established for an Armoured Vehicle. Once those targets are achieved, Users will benefit from the key advantages of the SV’s common base platform approach, including a lower cost of ownership and smaller logistics footprint, thanks to the commonality of its components across the fleet and the knowledge that the reliability of the SV platform will be second to none.

Ultimately, General Dynamics UK will deliver one of the most modern medium-weight Armoured Vehicle fleets in the world today for the British Army, featuring the most advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities on a single platform and unparalleled protection, weight and agility for a vehicle of its class.

With its extensive experience in managing complex military vehicle programmes in the US, Canada and with other major international customers, General Dynamics Land Systems will now partner with General Dynamics UK to ensure the successful management and delivery of the SV programme, as announced earlier in the year. This alignment of business activities between General Dynamics business units strengthens General Dynamics’ commitment to the UK market and enhances export opportunities from the UK to international markets.