Army Introduces New Engineer Capability
The NZ Army has just acquired six new JCB high mobility engineer excavators (HMEES)
The Army's engineers now have significantly more capability following the purchase of six new JCB High Mobility Engineer Excavators (HMEES) as part of the Engineer Omnibus project.
The HMEEs - commonly known as combat tractors - are at Trentham Camp while some engineering changes are completed and the initial training of trainers is conducted. The HMEE will be fully introduced into service in mid 2011 with the end-state of having the capability at DLOC.
"The HMEE will provide a significant increase in engineer capability for the NZ Army. Until now, we did not have an earthmoving capability with increased mobility and survivability that could support NZLAV operations effectively," says Lieutenant Colonel Don Jones, Commanding Officer 2 Engineer Regiment.
"The regiment is looking forward to receiving the excavators and using them for training, on exercise, and bringing the capability to DLOC."
The capability of the Army's Light Armoured Vehicles (NZLAV) will be enhanced by the HMEEs' ability to undertake route clearance, survivability, construction and other earthmoving tasks using a system that has comparable protection and mobility to NZLAV.
The excavators have been proven operationally by the US and UK armies to be combat viable and have been effective working alongside other armoured vehicles in high threat environments. Experience in Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that the vehicle's armour has allowed US operators to survive mine and improvised explosive device strikes which would otherwise have caused fatal consequences if less protected vehicles had been attacked.
Engineer support to civil aid, route maintenance or general tasks will also be enhanced due to the increased technical capability of the HMEE and the protection it provides operators while working across the battle-space. The provision of horizontal construction is also made safer for plant operators in any environment.
The HMEE was developed by JCB in response to a requirement for high mobility earthmoving plant that could survive on the modern battlefield. As such the technology is cutting edge and at the early stages of its service life. With a top speed on the open road of 90 km/hr and great cross country capability the excavators can operate as part of a cavalry formation and self-deploy without needing to be transported via trailer to a task site.
The HMEE can be deployed on HMNZS Canterbury and will complement the recently approved Gap Crossing System (GCS) the GDELS Rapidly Emplaced Bridge with MAN HX 77 host vehicle. With HMEE, the GCS and NZLAV (E), engineers can now fully utilise the Army's Cavalry capability.
The vehicles, parts, training and other support has cost in total $4.7m. The HMEEs will be operated by plant operators from within Linton-based 2 Engineer Regiment.
HMEE Fact Sheet: Core dimensions and performance.
*Weight (combat loaded with armour etc) 16,180kg
*Length 9.2m
*Width 2.4m
*Height 3.9m
*Top speed 90 km/hr
*Maximum vertical step 480mm
*Side slope limit 30%
*Climb/descent limit 60%
Core features.
*Armoured cab for crew (2) protection
*Blackout facility for night driving
*Selectable two wheel/four wheel/crab steer
*ROPS/FOPS (Roll over protection system)
*Run flat tyres
*Multi fuel (Diesel or JP8)
*Side shift fork carriage operated from cab
*Wide range of attachments and hydraulic tools including augurs
*Air conditioned cab
*ABS brakes
