David Moyes

Are single-bidder competitions allowed in the US? I know in UK and Canada they have to be restarted/cancelled.

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The Army required the competitors to deliver a bid sample — a full-up working vehicle — to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, by Oct. 1.

What snarled Rheinmetall, for instance, according to sources, was the timeline it needed to get approvals from the local municipal government to transport the vehicle by tractor trailer or rail and then via air.

Seems like a minor issue. An extension will almost certainly be granted.

Driving ban for Dutch Boxer 8x8
 

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Defense immediately imposes a driving ban for the Boxer armored wheeled vehicle. This is done on the advice of the manufacturer. There are problems with the fuse on the upper hatch. Work is now being done on an (interim) solution in consultation with the maker.
 

A few weeks ago, the 197 Boxers at home and abroad already stepped aside. Even then, the measure concerned problems with the locking mechanism of the hatches.

On the public road, the Boxer must drive with the top hatch open. This is necessary to have a good view of the surroundings while driving.
 

Commanders may decide to use the Boxer during operations, after careful risk analysis. This means that the Boxers can be deployed during a bet.

https://www.snafu-solomon.com/2019/10/driving-ban-for-boxer-8x8-infantry.html

4 hours ago, DIADES said:

A little patronizing toward the Czechs there - they are far from stupid and I am pretty sure they can tell the difference between Kf31 and Kf41,  In any case, Kf41 is what is being offered,

It's a joke.

4 hours ago, SH_MM said:

 

Why do you think was the KF41 presented for the first time to public painted in Czech Army camouflage? 

To trick the Czechs into buying KF31s thinking they would get KF41s.
 

Honestly, with the Czech competition I've only been keeping up on the ASCOD and Puma bids. They seem the most interesting and likely to be selected. 

Rheinmetall offering KF41 instead of KF31 for Czechs now?
 

6 hours ago, vltx said:

Is the new hull still based off of the Ajax/ASCOD?

Yes. It's length reduced with 6-pair road wheels.
The Griffin II hull is also not as tall with a lower-profile.

RBSL CR2 demonstrator shown to Prime Minister and Defence Secretary. Second time it's been shown to high ranking government officials. Previously it was at a UK-Germany defence meeting.

There's also this photo which shows the turret may have a lightening cut at the front:

9 hours ago, 2805662 said:

Who exactly was “disappointed” by the K21? ROKA?

Yes. Hence K-31.
 

9 hours ago, 2805662 said:

 

There was a marked reluctance to accept Australian requirements and input, for cost/design reasons, but also because of (imo) arrogance.

Sound familiar. I had hoped UK industry had changed. Sad!

1 hour ago, 2805662 said:

 

Reflects a discussion I had yesterday with a former colleague who’s tangentially involved:

”AJAX is a very old truck. Just not really in the running and viable. Not for us, doesn’t do anything that the others do, better.”

 

The GDLS team is “shocked” - they had no idea until the announcement. 

Seems harsh. All were developed within a few years of each other; all descended from a previous iteration. Notably the AS-21 (K-31) exists because the K-21 disappointed.

Can't help but feel that Ajax being a relatively mature and proven platform worked against it. Aussies chasing after the shiny new thing.

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According to informed sources, the AJAX was regarded as not fit for purpose, and the BAE Systems-Hagglunds CV90 was assessed as too expensive

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/the-reasons-behind-the-land-400-phase-3-decision

Not elaborated on but an interesting statement.

Enhance:

11 hours ago, Serge said:

 

So BAE/GD spend money for nothing !

 

They received government funding.
It's the price you pay to keep the illusion of a competition. 

10 hours ago, SH_MM said:

Given that Rheinmetall had essentially no local production sites in the UK and didn't deliver any AFVs to the British Army before

Neither did Lockheed-Martin UK.
10 years later we're still waiting for WCSP.

Rheinmetall seem to have a good relationship with Supacat and the Newcastle factory where Challenger 2 was built is now owned by the Reece Group (Pearson Engineering) who they're working with on Boxer.
 

10 hours ago, SH_MM said:

I was under the impression that the BAE-GD cooperation was deemed to win until Rheinmetall presented the Challenger 2 LEP & formed Rheinnmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).

BAE-GD offer is at best a last resort.
 

10 hours ago, SH_MM said:

BAE Systems is a British company that has provided the British Army with Warrior, Challenger 2, AS-90, etc.,

BAE systems bought the companies that built those things
BAE is a scam of a company but uses its massive influence (BAE is an aerospace giant and much of the UK's economy is aerospace based) within the Government to get contracts. 
"Anyone but BAE" is the mantra of the MoD.

RBSL joint venture is the result of BAE finally accepting that they will never win a "competed" contract, jumping on Rheinmetalls popularity within the Army and keeping other defence giants out of the UK market.
For Rheinmetall they benefit from BAE's influence and their focus on Land systems won't cause problems with BAE's dominance in Aerospace.
 

10 hours ago, SH_MM said:

while General Dynamics European Land Systems is delivering the AJAX family of vehicles.

Army and GD fell out.

Army used to like American companies but is now enamoured with German and Israeli stuff.

10 hours ago, SH_MM said:

(has there been a contract for the Boxer yet?)

No. It was thought to happen at DSEI.

 

On 9/13/2019 at 12:21 AM, Plebola said:

Somewhat unrelated but also related. 

 

I heard that the toilet and BV are being removed in the new update to the CR2 (the latter being a horrible design choice in my personal opinion)...where was the toilet in the old one/does anyone have any pictures of it?

The toilet is under the loaders seat.
 

BV is a requirement for British AFVs. I doubt it's been totally removed. 

 

16 hours ago, Serge said:

So, no news at DSEI-2019 from BAE about their involvement in the Challenger 2 LEP ?

The BAE-GD offer was never a real option.
Competitions in the British Army are largely pre-determined and the final results twisted to reaffirm the decision. 

The Rheinmetall offer was always going to be selected. Although this hasn't been made official yet.

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10 minutes ago, alanch90 said:

The front plates on the turret front and sides seem thin and bolted on. Whats the reason for that?

Looks better. Not joking. 
Also armour modules get bolted onto the turret sides when on operation.

Hi-res Challenger 2 Mk.2 promo shot:

Revised RCH155
 

Ajax-family bridge-layer. 
Supposedly called Acheron. Don't know if this is official.

https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/bae-systems-unveils-new-archer-mobile-howitzer-at-dsei
 

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The key is a modular design that allows it to be integrated onto different truck chassis and then seamlessly introduced into existing vehicle fleets. The ARCHER’s modularity makes it a cost-effective solution that provides critical battlefield capabilities. The ARCHER system displayed at DSEI 2019 is mounted on a Rheinmetall RMMV HX2 8x8 truck – meaning it could be common to systems already in service with the British Army. The original ARCHER, first delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces in 2013, is mounted on a Volvo A30 6X6 articulated hauler.

 

“This new international version of the ARCHER can be easily integrated onto a variety of different chassis, allowing the customer to specify the vehicle best suited to their needs,” said Ulf Einefors, director of marketing and sales at BAE Systems Weapon Systems business in Sweden. “We’re pleased to display this new version at DSEI to demonstrate the versatility that ARCHER could add to any allied military force.”

The long-range, self-propelled ARCHER brings speed, mobility, and high rates of fire to support ground troops. From the safety of ARCHER’s armored cabin, a three-person crew needs less than 30 seconds to deploy or displace the system, making ARCHER the ultimate shoot-and-scoot artillery system. As the most advanced wheeled 155mm, 52-calibre system in operation today, ARCHER features a 21-round auto-loader and onboard ballistic calculation. The system can fire up to eight rounds per minute at ranges approaching 40 kilometers with conventional 155mm ammunition and 60 kilometres with precision guided munitions such as Excalibur.

 

Visit BAE Systems at DSEI 2019 on stand S4 – 200 or find additional information via our events page at: www.baesystems.com/dsei.

Images, brochure and video: https://baesys.resourcespace.com/pages/search.php?search=!collection564&k=b9d6b00896