A Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle on operations in Afghanistan.
The Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology and provides unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. These patrol vehicles underwent final testing in the dusty and hot conditions of the Helmand desert before being deployed on operations.
Foxhound has been specifically designed and built in Britain to protect against the threats faced by troops in Afghanistan. However, this is an agile and versatile vehicle that will be a mainstay in the Army for years to come.
Being lighter and smaller than other protected vehicles such as Mastiff and Ridgeback, Foxhound brings a whole new capability to the Army and is ideal for soldiers operating in mentoring and partnering roles.
General Dynamics Land Systems: Force Protection Europe (GDLS:FPE), who produced Foxhound, worked with engineers from the World Rally Championship, McLaren F1, Ricardo and BMW to incorporate motor racing technology. Foxhound has a top speed of 70mph but can still protect against improvised explosive devices thanks to its v-shaped hull.
Other innovative design features mean that the Foxhounds engine can be removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and it can drive away from an ambush on only three wheels.
London, 10 September 2019: NP Aerospace, a worldleading armour technology manufacturer and vehicle integrator, is responding to the challenge for industry and UK Ministry of Defence to achieve safety, efficiency and innovation across vehicle platforms, via a collaborative approach.
This follows the award of a £63m MoD contract to NP Aerospace for vehicle Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support (PMETS) in January 2019. This contract covers the MoD’s fleet of 2,200 Protected Mobility Vehicles until 2024, including Foxhound, Mastiff, Wolfhound, Ridgback, Buffalo, Choker, RODET, Jackal, Coyote and Husky. The PMETS programme ensures they are upgraded to the highest standards and remain ready for combat.
At the contract award, Major General Colin McClean stated:“The Protected Mobility fleet has been hugely important for defence over the last 15 years, saving numerous lives on operations. It is vital that we continue to invest in our battle-winning capabilities, ensuring that they are always ready for training or operational purposes.
Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle photographed in Patrol Base Wahid, Helmand Afghanistan.
Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology, providing unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. Featuring blast survivability close to that of a Mastiff – and just a little bigger than the Snatch Land Rover it replaces the Foxhound is ideally suited for manoeuvring around the narrow backstreets of Helmands towns and villages. Weighing in at six tones, it has a top speed of 70mph and can do 0-50mph in just 19 seconds. Four-wheel steering makes it extra agile, with a 40ft turning circle.
“Given its significant role now and in the future, I am pleased we are partnering with NP Aerospace to deliver this contract”.
NP Aerospace is the lead vehicle integration and engineering authority on the programme, working closely with all of the vehicle OEMs and in collaboration with the following partners:
• Atkins – Systems Safety Partner
• HORIBA MIRA – Vehicle Engineering and Test Partner
• ITS – Integrated Logistics Support Partner
Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle photographed in Patrol Base Wahid, Helmand Afghanistan.
Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology, providing unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. Featuring blast survivability close to that of a Mastiff – and just a little bigger than the Snatch Land Rover it replaces the Foxhound is ideally suited for manoeuvring around the narrow backstreets of Helmands towns and villages. Weighing in at six tones, it has a top speed of 70mph and can do 0-50mph in just 19 seconds. Four-wheel steering makes it extra agile, with a 40ft turning circle.
James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, said: “Having NP Aerospace centrally managing the collaborative programme and the full fleet of vehicles creates efficiency through component and system commonality. We are delighted to report that we, together with our PMETS partners, are already meeting Major General McClean’s challenge. We look forward to applying this experience to our future innovative work with MoD and our other customers around the world.”
Dave Clark, Market Director, Aerospace and Defence, Atkins, said: “As Systems Safety Partner on the PMETS programme, Atkins is ensuring that all tasks needing modifications undergo relevant safety and hazard checks, feeding into platform safety cases. We are also bringing our world class engineering expertise to MoD innovation projects.”
A Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle is put through its paces at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology, providing unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. Featuring blast survivability close to that of a Mastiff – and just a little bigger than the Snatch Land Rover it replaces the Foxhound is ideally suited for manoeuvring around the narrow backstreets of Helmands towns and villages. Weighing in at six tones, it has a top speed of 70mph and can do 0-50mph in just 19 seconds. Four-wheel steering makes it extra agile, with a 40ft turning circle.
Robert Mohacsi, Senior Commercial Manager – Defence Systems, HORIBA MIRA, commented: “HORIBA MIRA brings world-class vehicle engineering and extensive test facilities to this programme. We make certain that every PMETS upgrade or development undergoes rigorous testing and meets all-encompassing safety and certification criteria.”
Stephen Preston, Director, Interactive Technical Solutions (ITS), added: “Our role in the programme is to deliver tailored ILS solutions including technical publications, training and engineering support. We will also provide a high level of quality with a proactive approach to each requirement and are fully conversant with MoD capability needs and governing policies.”
