DTN News: New British Army MRAPs Deployed In Afghanistan

DTN News: New British Army MRAPs Deployed In Afghanistan

*Source: UK Ministry of Defence

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON/KABUL - June 11, 2009: The first batch of new armoured vehicles have reached Afghanistan and have now been put to work in front line operations. A Mastiff 2 armoured vehicle being driven at the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield [Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009] 300 new Mastiff 2 and Ridgback vehicles are now operational with trained crews and are giving troop commanders better capability for battlefield tasks. Various upgrades make the two vehicles more up-to-date including: explosive attenuating seats to provide better protection to the soldier on impact; improved armour; improved axles and suspension to cope with the difficult terrain; better thermal imaging for the drivers; and greater crew capacity. Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said: "The Mastiff is already giving troops a battle-winning edge in Afghanistan and Mastiff 2 is even better as we have improved the vehicle in line with comments from personnel on the front line. "Ridgback will supplement the excellent work currently carried out by its bigger brother Mastiff and offer our forces first-rate protection with greater manoeuvrability and easier access to urban areas." With a maximum speed of 90kph for Mastiff 2 and 40mph for Ridgback, both vehicles will be armed with the latest weapon systems, including a 7.62mm general purpose machine gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun or 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Both vehicles have a redesigned interior making it the vehicle of choice for protected mobility troops in Afghanistan. The vehicles are based on the US Cougar made by Force Protection, with the UK integration work carried out by NP Aerospace, based in Coventry. All training on the vehicles has been carried out at the Defence School of Transport, based near Hull, which is the largest driver training school in Europe.

British Forces Test Ridgback MRAP For Afghanistan / Ridgback Tested For Helmand

British Forces Test Ridgback MRAP For Afghanistan / Ridgback Tested For Helmand

(NSI News Source Info) March 17, 2009: The first batch of the new Ridgback protected vehicles are currently being tested by the Army, and are expected to be going to work in Afghanistan later this year.

Lighter and more agile than the Mastiff Armoured Fighting Vehicle, the Ridgback, though very similar, is nearly two metres shorter but, crucially, a metre slimmer than its big brother, allowing troops greater access and mobility within built-up environments.

The British Army is testing the first batch of Ridgback protected vehicles due for deployment in Afghanistan. Although lighter than the Mastiff, Ridgback weighs 19.5 metric tonnes.

While manoeuvrability is its special feature, it is passenger-protection that remains paramount. Ridgback is mine and IED (improvised explosive device) strike-proofed to the same level as a Mastiff 2; just as heavily armoured but nine tonnes lighter. As with Mastiff, the base vehicle is the American Cougar. These are shipped to Coventry where NP Aerospace up-armours then unleashes the new beasts for the Ministry of Defence.

The 4x4s become Ridgbacks and the 6x6s become the Mastiffs soldiers know and love. In sharing the same basic platform and major components, Ridgback benefits from the proven support and training regimes already in place for Mastiff.

Among the upgrades fitted at Coventry, Ridgback incorporates an impressive electronics pack including Bowman communications, electronic countermeasures, night vision and thermal imaging. The multi-camera feeds to the TV screens inside give the crew impressive situational awareness from within the vehicle.

Some vehicles will be fitted with a remote weapons system allowing the crew to operate Ridgback's weapons via a camera and joystick from inside the vehicle.

Other attributes include run-flat tyres, modified seats offering superior protection from bomb blasts, and easy gear selection and driveability.

Jason Purveur, Ridgback project manager, said:

"We had infantry support us throughout the whole design and development process. All of the attributes that they think they will need in theatre we try and accommodate within the build of the programme. My hope is that they get exactly what they want."

Once out of the factory, Ridgback is put through its paces in a series of tough mobility tests at the Army's Combat Support Trials and Development Unit (CSS TDU) at Long Valley, Aldershot. To enable it to carry out different roles within Afghanistan Ridgback will be introduced in four variants: a troop-carrying protected weapons station, a remote weapons station, a battlefield ambulance, and a command post vehicle.

Although the vehicles are very tough, they are certainly not indestructible, and the Ridgback team is keen that its drivers and battlefield commanders "don't try to write cheques the vehicle can't cash by putting it to uses it's not designed for".

Mr Purveur had the following message for front line troops and commanders eagerly awaiting the arrival of the vehicles in theatre:

"Bear with us - we're getting them out to you as fast as we possibly can. Fingers crossed, when you receive them you'll appreciate everything that we've done, and most importantly, that they'll keep you guys safe."

RIDGBACK VITAL STATISTICS:

-- Top speed: 55mph (90km/h)

-- Weight: 19.5 tonnes

-- Weapons: A mixture of weapons systems, including a 7.62mm Heavy Machine Gun; General Purpose Machine Gun; and Grenade Machine Gun mounted.