General Dynamics‘ [GD]Land Systems-Force Protection Europe recently said it has finalized a contract for an additional 100 Foxhound light tactical blast-protected vehicles for delivery to the U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD).
The order expands the number of vehicles under contract from 200 to 300.
Production of the first 200 Foxhounds began in 2011, and the first vehicles have been deployed to Afghanistan. Production now will be extended to include the additional vehicles.
Foxhound vehicles provide enhanced mobility and blast survivability to troops operating in urban environments.
“This award allows us to continue to provide the life-saving blast protection provided by the Foxhound vehicle to U.K. troops on deployment, following in the long line of proven protection provided by our Mastiff, Ridgback and Wolfhound vehicles,” said David Hind, General Dynamics Land Systems-Force Protection Europe’s managing director. “Foxhound is the product of a successful partnership between General Dynamics and key suppliers such as Ricardo, Formaplex, QinetiQ and the Defence Support Group, which has delivered this life-saving technology in less than 24 months since contract award.”
The Foxhound is a new design for a light tactical (4×4) highly mine- and blast-protected vehicle, integrating V-hull blast-protection technology with a modular demountable protected crew pod, the company said in a statement. The vehicle’s low weight and tight turning circle enable it to operate effectively in urban environments where the infrastructure cannot support heavier, larger vehicles. The V-hull runs the length of the vehicle, providing mine and blast protection for the engine and driveline components packaged within its protective envelope. The crew pod rests on the V-hull and is designed to be able to tilt, enabling routine repair and maintenance, or to be removed and replaced quickly by an alternative mission module. This modularity allows multiple configurations and capabilities although the United Kingdom. MoD is currently only procuring a patrol variant of Foxhound.