Upgraded Warrior British infantry fighting vehicle saved lives of soldiers against IED Afghanistan

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United Kingdom British Army News

 

Thursday, June 30, 2011, 05:45 PM

 
Upgraded Warrior British infantry fighting vehicle saved lives of soldiers against IED in Afghanistan.
 
Newly-upgraded Warrior MCV-80 vehicles have saved the lives of British soldiers within weeks of arriving in Afghanistan. Warrior is the only British tracked infantry vehicle in theatre, able to get to places that wheeled vehicles cannot. This enables the infantry to engage the enemy more effectively in difficult terrain.
     
Newly-upgraded Warrior MCV-80 vehicles have saved the lives of British soldiers within weeks of arriving in Afghanistan. Warrior is the only British tracked infantry vehicle in theatre, able to get to places that wheeled vehicles cannot. This enables the infantry to engage the enemy more effectively in difficult terrain.
An upgraded Warrior infantry fighting vehicle ready to be loaded onto an RAF C-17 Globemaster at RAF Brize Norton for onward transit to Afghanistan
[Picture: Trevor Sheehan/BAE Systems 2011]
     
Just a short time after receiving their modified Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, troops from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (3 MERCIAN), on patrol in the Durai East region of Afghanistan's Helmand province, survived a serious improvised explosive device (IED) blast, thanks to the vehicle's improved protection.

Over 70 vehicles have been modified for the British Army by BAE Systems as part of an Urgent Operational Requirement. The tracked vehicles have been given around 30 new improvements under the Warrior Theatre Entry Standard (HERRICK) [TES (H)] programme worth around £40m, including:

- a flexible modular armour system that can be adapted to meet changing threats and reduce vehicle weight
- enhanced seating design and cushioning to further improve mine protection and comfort
- an improved driver vision system with an increase from one to three periscopes, providing a wider field of vision and a night-vision capability
- increased low-speed mobility and climbing performance, enabling the vehicle to tackle tough terrain and get closer to a target or destination
- motorsport-derived carbon fibre brakes, providing significantly reduced stopping distance
- improved air conditioning for troop comfort in hot and harsh environments
- wire cutters to protect the driver, commander and equipment on the vehicle from obstacles.