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More MRAPs Down the Road

The Pentagon continues to dispatch MRAP orders to whoever can produce the huge quantities required to protect the troops in Iraq. BAE Systems receives contract for 441 additional MRAP vehicles. 425 of the new vehicles will be 4x4 (Category I) vehicles, the remaining 16 will be Category II (6x6) configured as ambulances and other support vehicles. BAE Systems will deliver vehicles based on the RG-33 design, offering improved survivability and large armor protected volume. The RG33L MRAP ambulance accommodates several litter and ambulatory patients via a novel litter lift system. The vehicle also provides space for a medic work station and key medical equipment. Read more on the recent MRAP contracts in Defense Update.

KMW Introduces the Grizzly Highly Protected Vehicle

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has unveiled a new, medium weight highly protected vehicle called Grizzly, designed for operation with the German Army. KMW is developing the vehicle under the German Ministry of Defense technology and procurement agency (Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung - BWB). The "Grizzly" offers the crew optimum protection, especially against explosive devices, mines and small arms direct fire. The first vehicle will be delivered as early as November 2007. More about the Grizzly in today's DEFENSE UPDATE.

The Pentagon Releases Orders for 884 Additional Armored Vehicles

The Pentagon is releasing another batch of orders for armored vehicles, as part of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and other armored vehicle programs. Read the full story in today's DEFENSE UPDATE.

Boxer, VBCI and Piranha Selected for FRES Evaluation

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the selection of three armored vehicle platforms to participate in trials for the Utility Vehicle (UV) variant of the British Army's Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) later this summer, to be followed by final selection of one or more vehicles for the detailed assessment. They include the BOXER produced by German-Dutch ARTEC), the Swiss Piranha provided by General Dynamics UK and the French VBCI produced by Nexter (formerly GIAT).

Ceradyne Introduces the Armored "Bull"

Ceradyne, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRDN) is introducing an armored vehicle called BULL, designed to complement the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle currently produced for the US Marine Corps and Army. The BULL is based on a commercial chassis and uses an armor suite providing superior protection from all types of IEDs. Read more about the new BULL in today's DEFENSE-UPDATE.

Global Safety Labs Improves Armored Vehicle Fire Protection

Global Safety Labs (GSL) is working on TACOM Engineering approvals to 'fire-proof' up-armored Humvees with its Automatic Vehicle Fire Extinguishment & Survivability System (AVFESS). The system uses patented vehicle spray system to extinguish both external and internal vehicle fires, protecting occupants and coating tires to prevent re-ignition. The system uses GSL's Arctic Fire-Freeze (AFF) Agent on both the interior and exterior of the HMMWV stopping the fire and providing a fire-proof coating. Read more about Global Safety Labs' fireproofing job on Defense Update.

Raytheon Delivers Two Radar Systems for Quick-Kill APS

Two prototypes of the Multi-Function Radio Frequency System (MFRFS) radar were delivered by Raytheon Company's (NYSE:RTN) Network Centric Systems for integration into the Quick Kill Active Protection System the company is developing for the U.S. Army. Raytheon's Quick Kill APS will be integrated on a Stryker for end-to-end system demonstrations and design verification testing beginning late this summer. Read more on: Raytheon Delivers Two Radar Systems for Quick-Kill APS on Defense-Update

Gen. Brown: "Interceptor is the Best Available Body Armor"

Brig. Gen. R. Mark Brown, Program Executive Officer Soldier agreed to release a June 2006 test results rebuffing claims that commercially available body armor is superior to the Interceptor Body Armor the Army issues to warfighters. Gen. Brown said the Army had been reluctant to release test results that could inform the enemy of U.S. capabilities. "Right now, we believe it's critical that our Soldiers have confidence in their equipment and that their families know force protection is the Army's number one priority," Brown said. Read more on the Army's report on Defense-Update.