BAE Systems Demonstrates Wide Spectrum of Vehicles at DVD

BAE Systems, MILLBROOK, UK: BAE Systems is exhibiting a total of eight vehicles at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire this Wednesday and Thursday (27/28 June) as part of the UK MoD’s Defence Vehicles Dynamic (DVD) exhibition. They represent the wide spectrum of support BAE Systems offers the British Army with vehicles currently on operations, vehicles currently in production and a potential vehicle for a new MoD vehicle programme. 
 
The Warrior, CVR (T) Bulldog and Viking currently on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, are at DVD in their up-armoured configuration. BAE Systems has designed, developed, manufactured and installed a number of enhancements to the vehicles, many to help protect their crews from ever-changing threats. On the stand will be two variants of the FV430 series, the Mark 2 and Mark 3, to illustrate the upgrade enhancements undertaken by BAE Systems as part of their through-life support of the vehicles. 
 
Two Panther command and liaison vehicles are at DVD. One is in a standard carrier format with five seats and the second is in the latest reconnaissance vehicle build standard, fully fitted with the Bowman communications system. 
 
Panther, which is currently in production at BAE Systems manufacturing facility in Newcastle, has just completed its military user trials at Bovington. Feedback was very positive with the first batch of 56 vehicles expected to go into service later this year. 
 
Also on the stand is the RG31 Mk6 mine-protected vehicle, designed, developed and manufactured at BAE Systems’ manufacturing plant in South Africa. BAE Systems OMC has a long history of manufacturing highly protected vehicles with a track record of saving lives. 
 
The RG31 Mk6 is the latest evolution of the highly successful RG31 series of mine and IED protected vehicles which are in service with many armed forces throughout the world. RG 31 variants have recently been bought by the USA, Canada and UAE specifically to deal with their wheeled vehicle protection requirements on operations worldwide, including Iraq and Afghanistan. 
 
The RG31 Mk6 was rapidly developed and prototyped and is a possible contender for the UK MOD’s Future Medium Protected Patrol Vehicle Programme.  
 
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.