David Moyes

The RFI is a formality. AGM on Boxer is the plan. It was one of the reasons why Boxer was selected for MIV. Get as many drive modules as possible then order required mission modules when the money is available.
KMW is working on a remote re-supply module.
The program for a new SPG has been going for a while and had numerous names, at one point it specifically had 'Wheeled' in the title.The Regiments selected are 2 x AS90 and 2 x 105mm in the Armoured and Strike Brigades.

Boxer acquisition is being done through OCCAR so Artec is the prime contractor. KMW already have a manufacturing base in the UK with their ownership of WFEL, hence why Rheinmetall created Joint-Venture with BAE.
Drive module fabrication - WFEL-KMW
Mission module fabrication - Pearson
Final assembly - BAE-Rheinmetall

The requested numbers aren't enough to entirely replace AS90 and a recent BAE bulletin had an article on improving the range of the L15A4 round when used with a 52 calibre barrel as part of a AS90 capability upgrade:
https://t.co/LpopfR4d2H
I wonder if this is an upgrade of the original L31 gun or an entirely new one (like the cancelled Braveheart upgrade)?
BAE owns the M777, it was designed and is manufactured in the UK, a L52 version has been worked on. However Rheinmetall's 155mm L52 is fitted in the Polish Krab SPG that uses the AS90 turret.
Interesting to see if AGM and AS90 will end up with the same gun.
 

On 4/3/2019 at 8:15 AM, Mighty_Zuk said:

I also heard a version of the Archer was offered

On 4/3/2019 at 8:15 AM, Mighty_Zuk said:

The Donar is a version mounted on a Bradley platform.

ASCOD
I think the M993 was used early on.

Puma's powerpack:

MTU 10V 890 (MT 892) + Renk HSWL 256

https://twitter.com/armeedeterre/status/1105496693062189056



https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/actu-terre/dans-les-coulisses-de-fabrication-du-griffon

The Puma turret is the RCT 30 by KMW.

12 hours ago, DIADES said:

Nice to see a reasonable number of antenna mounts but very unusual to see them on the glacis?  It will put them out of the way to the extent they can be standardized in that location across non-turreted versions.  But it does place them in harms way and must compromise frontal protection?  Then again, they are over track - I wonder how they are routed - at some point they must penetrate the hull.

Not just antenna mounts but data+power access points to quickly add equipment (IED detectors & jammers etc...)
Another 4 on the turret version and maybe 3 on raised-hull variant:

Not sure how they penetrate hull:

Don't know if already posted:

https://www.mtu-report.com/Technology/Research-Development/Putting-the-Puma-through-its-Paces








https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/public_relations/themen_im_fokus/puma_ersetzt_marder/index.php#

https://defence-blog.com/army/pentagon-to-procure-pre-production-optionally-manned-fighting-vehicles.html
 

8 minutes ago, Karamazov said:

What is seen here?

Storage at the back of a Challenger 2 turret. Swings open.



Model but you get the idea.

Spain stole France's AFV time-line info-graphic:




Seems they're planning to overhaul their ASCOD Pizarro IFVs to a "Fase III" standard based on the latest version of the ASCOD.

http://www.infodefensa.com/es/2019/03/04/noticia-ejercito-tierra-quiere-modernizar-flota-vehiculos-pizarro.html

@Laviduce I stumbled upon these. Don't know if they're any help:





EDIT: Found the website - http://sirpat.idix.fr/3d/LECLERC/desktop.html

Rheinmetall's Challenger 2 Mk.2 moving and firing.
0:26 & 1:13

17 hours ago, Ramlaen said:

Is there any meat to the claim the AFV budget is getting cut by a similar amount to the cost of the Warrior upgrade?

£1.5bn is missing from the scheduled AFV budget according to reports and a Journalist has confirmed this with the MoD. However the MoD are quoted as saying that it isn't cut but "re-prioritised".
WCSP is speculated at £1.4-1.6bn and the final decision date should be this year. Hence why many think that WCSP has finally been cut.

The other possibility is L-ATV for MRV-P (Multi-Role Vehicle - Protected) Group 1 has been rejected by the Treasury.
L-ATV was selected by the Army without a competition on the belief that its $250,000 base price and massive US purchase meant that even with required modifications it would still be cheaper to buy and run than any other competitor.
However after some testing its rumoured to be too cramped for needed equipment. The modifications to make it UK road legal (right-hand drive) and desired protection levels have dramatically risen the average price to buy and run. Nearly all the work would be done in the US leaving little for UK industry.
Previously the Treasury wouldn't fund Piranha V for FRES UV in 2008 because for such a large deal the MoD hadn't negotiated export or IP rights. So the Army went to GD and demanded exclusive rights to Piranha V. Got told no and collapsed the deal. 

LM are having a PR party at Bovington Tank Museum with WCSP suppliers. Announced ( the re-doing of) trials.
Seems like a last-gasp attempt to instil some sort of confidence in WCSP. Even it it were to pass trials it would have to pass a contract review to see if it's still feasible.

£1.5bn has been "re-prioritised" from the AFV budget. Finally giving up on Warrior CSP or the Treasury refusing to fund L-ATV for MRPV seem most likely.

https://defence-blog.com/army/bae-systems-reveals-further-details-about-medusa-project-for-challenger-2-upgrade.html

Medusa:
It's a research initiative to find out the feasibility and effectiveness of a soft-kill system based on MUSS by Hensoldt. Rheinmetall's ROSY was also being looked at.
https://www.hensoldt.net/solutions/land/electronic-warfare/multifunctional-self-protection-system-for-vehicles-muss/

The companion programme is Icarus, which is focusing on a "sovereign" hard-kill system by Leonardo UK.
https://www.uk.leonardocompany.com/-/icarus

https://de-de.facebook.com/ARMCENBovington/posts/2505840122823709