⚙️ An approach to the Land Mobility Pipeline
OUVS, MRV-P, GSUP, existing fleets of HMT, Foxhound, Mastiff, Wolf and other families.
Managing existing fleets, transitioning to replacements, developing families.
Pipeline is a very important part of the new Programme.
1/
We're going take a look at a sound approach to husbandry of these category of vehicles and will do so through the lens of a couple of placeholder vehicle fleets. The fleets are candidates, but do consider the approach more than the vehicles themselves.
2/
Land Mobility Pipeline intends to manage and replace a series of wheeled 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles in UK service.
It appears closer to an expanded OUVS than a re-hashed MRV-P. This is a Good Thing™.
3/
The groups of vehicles can be best summarised in 4 classes:
0 - Ultralight (e.g. MRZR)
1 - Protected + GSUP (e.g. W464 G-Wagon)
2 - 4x4 MRAP (e.g. Hawkei)
3 - 6x6 MRAP (e.g. Bushmaster)
Examples above and what they might replace below to tune you into size/weight/roles.
4/
The heavier Mastiff family supporting Mechanised Infantry is what the Boxer family of vehicles was brought in to replace. LMP is looking at lighter versions of these roles.
5/
Which brings us to weights.
Here is an oversimplified bedroom wallchart of the Future Soldier structure from 2021.
Future Soldier Refresh is expected later this year.
6/
Via a straight resubordination of units, no fantasy fleeting or ORBATS, we can see a spectrum of vehicle weights and roles emerge.
In short:
- SFA to 6 DIV
- 16AAB to 1 DIV
Achievable in reality, but it's more to highlight the spread LMP is addressing.
7/
Another view.
That 24t band is where Mastiff, Stryker, Patria 6x6, Fuchs, RG-35 and Griffon all sit.
LMP needs to remain under 16t. Will get into why shortly.
If LMP is close to 16t, get under it.
If it won't get under 16t rethink or move it up to Ajax/Boxer/Big Truck.
8/
LMP will also service the Armoured/DRS Brigades.
Similar roles: 4x4 Liaison, light recce, 6x6 tactical support, etc.
This addresses the "why ditch anything *over* 16t question".
9/
Keeping LMP GVW under 16t is important as this limit, combined with 8t and 4t, are transportation sweet spots.
This allows a Phalanx Platoon with kit to be mechanised and transported a credible distance in one C-17 or two A400M.
For context, 16t is ~ an FMTV with payload.
10/
The 4t/8t/16t split allows different compositions of Platoons with appropriate vehicles to remain transportable.
The 4t and 8t bands should really be targeted as 3.5t and 7.5t respectively.
This reflects Drivers Licenses. A Jackal needs a 21yo with a C1.
A JLTV is an HGV.
11/
Moving around the UK and EU this matters. But it's a constraint, not a handicap.
Hitting 3.5t and 7.5t unlocks a larger pool of drivers.
UK/EU industry targets these bands. Engines. Suspension. Tyres.
Transportation moves these weights often. Parts bins and depots abound.
12/
So far this puts LMP at:
➡️ Ultralights through to 6x6 MRAP
➡️ 1 & 6 DIV primary vehicles
➡️ 3 DIV support vehicles
➡️ 16t limit
➡️ 3.5t and 7.5t bands for Drivers Licenses
➡️ Globally air transportable in credible numbers
➡️ Locally deployable without waivers/convoys
13/
Engineering wise any two LMP Groups could be served by a single vehicle family. Jackal/Coyote examples.
Arguments for Groups 1+2 are strong.
For these examples I am going to walk through 2+3 as a family as Group 1 has GSUP and Protected to deliver.
It *may* deliver 0 too.
14/
LMP is a Pipeline programme. We need to transition from what we have now in the future.
In Group 2+3's category, we have:
➡️ Some Iveco engines and transmissions
➡️ More Steyr engines and ZF transmissions
➡️ Lots of Cummins 6.7l and Allison transmissions
15/
Given weights, driving license bands, and commonality cost/operational advantages, a family of vehicles could be built on the Duro IIIP chassis:
➡️ In UK service
➡️ 3.5t to 16t
➡️ 4x4 and 6x6
➡️ Cummins 6.7
➡️ Allison transmission
➡️ Offered for MRV-P, matured further since
16/
The Mowag Eagle V is based on the Duro IIIP chassis.
The lighter of the Eagle 4x4 versions is 7.5t (Foxhound/Jackal)
The Eagle 6x6 is 15.5t (Bushmaster)
Transportation and Drivers License sweet spots.
Wired for GVA.
Protected MRAP.
Climate Control...
Solid User Group.
17/
A protected version of the Duro IIIP support vehicle. Same chassis, engine, gearbox, axles, wheels...
Can be used to transport people or cargo.
GVA. RWS.
18/
It is so similar to a DAF LF lorry in terms of parts (the dominant truck in the UK, the wider DAF range in EU) that any mechanic, depot or parts bin familiar with DAF LF will be at home here. That lowers through-life and keeps the family rolling.
19/
With the same engines and transmissions the Army could even use militarised DAF LF's for heavier hauling such as those bought amongst a family of DAF by the Belgian Army, however that's outside of LMP scope.
20/
Less protected Duro IIIP for more payload at lower cost on the left. Note the common shelter used with more internal protection for the Eagle 6x6 on the right.
21/
Much lighter, commercial, Duro III with very high mobility and payload. Note the tube axles, active roll system and the lifted chassis which provides the protected versions greater mine survivability.
22/
Recovery (Penman, or move over Supacat's "Supalift" system), 2-door Utility / Flatbed, and a range of shelters.
There's also a much lighter open topped SOF 4x4, however whether this sits under 3.5t is unknown at the moment.
23/
GDLS would be the Prime with Wales an option for manufacture.
This is not the only option if capacity is an issue. Supacat assemble similar components as does Babcock. NP Aero are the PMETS lead. Leyland DAF could be an outside option for the more commercial style Duros.
24/
Other combinations exist. JLTV, especially with the Utility base and Oshkosh-funded shelter serve many roles.
Cost at £1M+ each kitted (Slovakia), commonality, 10t weight and no 6x6 are issues. US Army has other vehicles such as FMTV (50% of their vehicles!) covering bases.
25/
Another is the Hawkei and Bushmaster. Outstanding vehicles separately. While Hawkei shares an engine with Foxhound and Bushmaster with Mastiff, they do not have much in common with each other.
Benefits of common chassis as a whole arguably outweigh individual suitability.
26/
➡️Ultralights through to 6x6 MRAP
➡️1 & 6 DIV primary vehicles
➡️3 DIV support vehicles
➡️16t limit
➡️3.5t and 7.5t bands for Drivers Licenses
➡️Globally air transportable in credible numbers
➡️Locally deployable without waivers/convoys
➡️Common family from 7.5t to 16t
27/
Land Mobility Pipeline Group 1 (GSUP and Protected light 4x4's sub 3.5t) in Part II.
28/
/To be continued...
@thinkdefence @AmarKaria9 @nicholadrummond @jedpc @BO3673 @hthjones @harry_lye @JakOSpades @2805662 @CR940 @ODowcett @ForcesReviewUK @B4ck1n
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