Article Posted on : - Apr 15, 2010

The Supacat Protected Vehicle (SPV400). Photo: Supacat

ALDERSHOT (BNS): Supacat has announced its ‘Supacat Protected Vehicle (SPV400)’ as a contender for the UK Ministry of Defence Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) programme.

The Ministry of Defence is expected to order an initial batch of 200 vehicles, for its Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) programme, which will enter into service in early 2011.

SPV400 new version combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including all composite protected crew pod and V-shaped hull, with exceptional cross country mobility and the agility to manoeuvre in tight urban environments.

The newly developed SPV400 will give protection and mobility to British troops against the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on operations in Afghanistan.

“The SPV400 is purpose designed for LPPV and offers a 21 century solution for 21st century operations. Its clean sheet design is `future-proofed` and can be upgraded to exceed the present LPPV requirements for protection and mobility,” said Nick Ames, Managing Director of Supacat Ltd, in a company news release.

The first SPV 400 prototype was tested in December 2009.The second and third SPV400 prototypes were completed at Supacat’s Dunkswell, Devon, in January 2010. The prototypes which are following initial company trials will participate in the UK MoD’s full trials programme soon.

The company has designed two more prototypes which will undergo for further blast tests, it said.