The BAE Systems’ program to deliver 60 Terrier(tm) vehicles to the British Army has taken two important steps forward, the company recently said.
Manufacture of the first Terrier production hull began on 27 January at the company’s Newcastle plant. In a ceremony attended by senior staff from both the MoD Combat Wheels Group and BAE Systems’ suppliers; visitors saw machining operations on the first side plate commence.
The first Terrier hull will be used in mine blast trials to demonstrate improved protection levels introduced by modifications resulting from experience gained on other vehicles during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The complete hull will be available for trials towards the end of this year. Assembly, integration and test of the first production vehicle is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2011.
Another development milestone was successfully completed in December 2009 after two demonstrator vehicles finished a comprehensive performance trial designed to demonstrate reliability growth.
Following a detailed review of the trial results and subsequent reliability case report, the MoD has concluded that the trial has been successful and the program should continue to the next phase of reliability growth, which is to demonstrate compliance with the full contractual reliability requirement.