News
June 14th 2010 - General Dynamics UK wins three major vehicle projects as market realises value of integration
Paris, France – General Dynamics UK has won three major vehicle integration contracts worth a total of £7 million thanks to its key skills and leadership in the integration of military fleets.
In the space of 10 weeks General Dynamics UK’s Platform Services division, based in Ashchurch, has been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence to apply its market-leading Electronic Systems Integration capability onto R-WMIK; by NP Aerospace to install the Bowman Enhanced Communications Suite on the Mastiff II Enhanced Communications Vehicle (ECV); and delivered the first IVECO-based Self Loading Dump Truck with integrated Electronic Counter Measures, Bowman and Power Management system to the MoD.
System integration for R-WMIK+
In a signal that customers are beginning to embrace the value of integrating systems on platforms, General Dynamics UK Platform Services has been contracted by the MoD to provide Electronic Systems Integration on the R-WMIK under the R-WMIK+ programme. This project will be the first significant combined integration of Electronic Counter Measures and Bowman suites delivering significant benefit to the end user in terms of lower weight, more space for the crew and improved fightability.
The R-WMIK+ programme will provide the platform with a brand new, completely optimised, electronic systems integration package. The platform will be fitted with fully integrated Bowman communications, TacSat and Electronic Counter Measure (ECM/EECM) suites.
The largest challenge of the programme will be fitting all of the equipment onto the Land Rover platform. To enable the integration of R-WMIK+ onto the Land Rover platform, General Dynamics UK reduced the size, weight and volume of the new vehicle installation kits using cutting-edge design techniques. This approach will allow users to easily switch components for dismounted roles as required, whilst providing maximum space and flexibility.
Integration of Bowman into Mastiff II ECV
General Dynamics UK Platform Services was also chosen by NP Aerospace to integrate the Bowman Enhanced Communications Suite on to the Mastiff II Enhanced Communications Vehicle (ECV). This work follows General Dynamics UK’s successful integration work on the Ridgback Command Variant (CV).
The Platform Services team will help to deliver the Mastiff II ECV back into theatre with minimal delay thanks to its innovative approach to the programme. In addition to delivering reduced costs to NP Aerospace by basing its solution on the successful Ridgback CV design, the General Dynamics team will also shorten timescales thanks to its unique solution of transferring its skills to NP’s site in Coventry.
