Force Protection Europe (FPE), a subsidiary of the U.S. Force Protection Industries [FRPT], this week said it signed a $279 million contract to build 200 of its Ocelot light-protected patrol vehicles for U.K. armed forces.
The vehicle the British call the Foxhound has been designed to provide unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight, a ministry statement said. Light and agile, the vehicle will allow troops to carry out a wide range of tasks in environments that could restrict larger, heavier vehicles, such as narrow alleys or crossing bridges.
The Foxhound was designed, developed and built in the United Kingdom by FPE and Ricardo plc, with Team Ocelot partners Thales, QinetiQ, Formaplex, DSG and Sula.
Foxhound, with its V-shaped hull, will be replacing Snatch Land Rovers, designed for Northern Ireland operations, and are vulnerable to IEDs. The vehicle incorporates Formula One racing technology and was devised by engineers from the World Rally Championship, McLaren Group’s McLaren F1 and BMW.
Speaking at a Motorsport to Defence conference at the headquarters of the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support organization in Bristol, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff said the contract signing ” shows the real progress that’s being made to ensure our front line troops are able to use these versatile and highly protected vehicles as soon as possible. Using state-of-the-art technology from a range of areas including the motorsport industry, this U.K.-designed vehicle demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing our troops with the world-class equipment they need.”
The engine can be removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and it can drive away from an ambush on only three wheels, ministry officials said. Crew and passengers also sit inside a protective pod, which can be quickly adapted to transform the patrol vehicle into an ambulance or supply truck.
The first vehicles are expected to be available to troops for training in 2011, and will add to the wide array of protected vehicles, including Mastiff and Ridgback already being used on operations in Afghanistan.
Chief of Defence Materiel Gen. Sir Kevin O’Donoghue said: “Procured as an Urgent Operational Requirement, this vehicle was designed specifically to protect against the threats faced by troops in Afghanistan…Foxhound is ideal for current operational needs, but is also a valuable addition to our range of vehicles and will serve our Armed Forces for many years to come.”
FPE was announced as the preferred bidder in September, after vehicle trials with competitors Supacat and the NP Aerospace consortium’s SPV400.