Teams led by BAE Systems, Force Protection Industries Inc. [FRPT], Textron [TXT], and an Oshkosh Corp. [OSK]-General Dynamics [GD] Land Systems Canada team all said have they submitted bids to Canadian Forces for the Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) project.
A contract award to the selected bidder for the TAPV requirement is slated for the second quarter of 2012.
Chris Chambers, vice president and general manager, BAE Systems Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, said, “The BAE Systems proposal is based on the RG35 reconnaissance, patrol and utility platform with Add-on-Armor from DEW Engineering and Thales Canada’s complete combat suite. Bluedrop will lead and coordinate the TAPV training program at operating and support bases across Canada.”
The BAE proposal and hardware was delivered to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., where all bidders vehicles will undergo testing by the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND).
“Developed for the Canadian Army, our system provides troops with enhanced and adaptable crew protection while delivering the tactical mobility and firepower required across unpredictable, extreme terrain and multiple missions–a system built and supported in Canada, for Canada,” Chambers said. “Through long-term partnerships with DND and Canadian industry across all regions, we will maintain high quality jobs and provide the Army with effective and efficient support.”
Force Protection is offering a 6 x 6 variant of the battle-proven Cougar wheeled-combat vehicle developed by Force Protection to meet the TAPV requirements. The TAPV offering has undergone five years of extensive research and development, the company said. The result is a technology readiness level (TRL) 8 vehicle, designed to deliver outstanding performance and sustainability for a broad spectrum of operations in the world’s most challenging environments.
Randy Hutcherson, chief of Business Development for Force Protection, said, “Partnered with CAE, Force Protection is pleased to formally submit Timberwolf as the optimal solution for the TAPV project.”
Force Protection’s team includes partner CAE [CAE], which will be responsible for comprehensive in-service support (ISS) and for assembling a pan-Canadian team of companies to develop and support any country-specific requirements for Canada’s replacement fleet of tactical armored patrol vehicles. Previously, the team said it would collaborate with Israel’s Elbit Systems as the provider for a dual remote weapons system (DRWS) and Lockheed Martin Canada [LMT] as the provider of a C4ISR suite for the vehicle.
Textron Systems Canada Inc. is offering a 4 x 4 armored vehicle, building on the combat-tested Armored Security Vehicle. Neil Rutter, general manager of Textron Systems Canada, said: “We also have submitted a comprehensive industrial and regional benefits plan that effectively engages Canadian companies from coast to coast, provides jobs to Canadians, and provides substantial Canadian content in each vehicle.”
The Textron team includes Rheinmetall Canada and Canadian suppliers such as Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada, a subcontractor to Rheinmetall Canada for the Remote Weapons Systems; and Engineering Office Deisenroth Canada (EODC), a subcontractor direct to Textron Systems Canada for add-on armor.
Oshkosh Defense delivered its offering Aug. 29 to Aberdeen Test Center, and its proposal the week previously. “Today, Oshkosh has delivered the best solution for the TAPV program including the most advanced military vehicle technologies and the finest Canadian-based sustainment services for the DND,” said Serge Buchakjian, senior vice president and general manager of International Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “Our TAPV is a fully integrated vehicle that is customized to the Canadian Force’s specific requirements, offering them the best-value solution. With our partners at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Oshkosh Corporation’s London Machinery, Inc., we can produce the vehicle in a way that creates considerable benefits for the Canadian economy for the next 25 years.”
The Oshkosh TAPV is based on the company’s proven Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle platform and leverages a mission-proven chassis and the patented TAK-4 independent suspension system, the company statement said. In independent testing conducted to date, the Oshkosh TAPV has undergone on- and off-road durability validation, successfully met ballistic and other survivability threat requirements, including the use of steel-pot method for NATO STANAG blast tests), and completed extensive live-fire demonstrations of the fully integrated dual Remote Weapon Station (RWS).
Oshkosh Defense is teamed with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Oshkosh Corporation subsidiary London Machinery, Inc. (LMI) in its bid for the TAPV program. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will provide in-country support and system integration. LMI will contribute local advanced manufacturing capabilities to assemble the vehicle, conduct subsystem integration and final acceptance testing.