Article Posted on : - Jul 02, 2010

A graphical representation of General Dynamics' ASCOD SV armoured fighting vehicle. Photo: General Dynamics UK.

LONDON (BNS): The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has has awarded a �500 million contract to General Dynamics UK for the demonstration phase of seven prototype Scout armoured fighting vehicles for the British Army.

The demonstration phase will see the development of seven prototypes for the Scout reconnaissance vehicle and supporting variants built on the ASCOD SV Common Base Platform, as well as providing associated training equipment.

"This contract is a major step towards providing an additional fleet of combat vehicles, capable of undertaking operations in the most demanding terrain and fully incorporating lessons from current conflicts," Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, was quoted as saying in a news release by the UK MoD.

Scout is the most powerful and sophisticated armoured vehicle. It will provide improved protection against a wide range of threats and bring greater firepower, improved situational awareness, more protection and enhanced mobility.

It will carry three crew members and can mount both 40mm cannon and a machine gun.

The design of the vehicle is derived from modifying the ASCOD SV vehicle, which is already in service with some NATO nations.

This new armoured vehicle is said to replace the Scimitar armoured fighting vehicle.

"Scout will also deliver improved situational awareness, increased firepower, more protection and enhanced mobility, and it will be a key capability for land operations over the next few decades," added Major General Bill Moore, Master-General of the Ordnance.

The trials of the prototype vehicles are expected to begin with the Army no later than 2013. Once the demonstration phase is successfully completed, the MoD will be in a position to proceed to the Manufacture Phase and begin production of these battle-winning vehicles.