Article Posted on : - Aug 30, 2011

The Oshkosh TAPV is based on the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) platform. An Oshkosh photo

OTTAWA (BNS): US defence firm Oshkosh has delivered a new-generation wheeled combat vehicle for testing under the Canadian Army’s Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) programme.

Under the programme, the Canadian Army plans to procure hundreds of next generation wheeled combat vehicles.

The Oshkosh Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) was delivered to Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland on Monday where the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) will conduct mobility, survivability and weapons testing.

The new combat vehicle is based on the Oshkosh-built Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) platform.

Before being delivered to the Canadian defence department, the Oshkosh TAPV underwent on- and off-road durability validation, successfully met ballistic and other survivability threat requirements, and completed extensive live-fire demonstrations of the fully integrated dual Remote Weapon Station (RWS), the manufacturer said.

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle would replace the Canadian Army’s existing fleet of RG-31 mine-protected vehicles and the Coyote wheeled light armored vehicles.

The Army plans to initially procure 500 such vehicles with an option for an additional 100.

The vehicles will be procured under a competitive military acquisition process. The Canadian DND expects to award the contract to the winning bidder by 2012.