As we approach a decision point in the UK’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle competition the contenders and news channels have been steadily releasing videos onto YouTube.
Here is a round up
Force Protection Europe Ocelot
Supacat SPV400
Think DefenceUK Defence Issues and the odd container or two
I always liked the ocelot, and the new videos strengthen that view, however the main selling point that sets it aside from all the others and make it export potential, is the pod changing capabilities and it’s not featured in any of the videos.
I would like to see in the video one shot as a troop carrier then pod removed, bare chassis and then one of the pods before it drives off. I don’t think just showing a graphic does this feature any justice for what is a very good vehicle.
new videos of ocelot definitely better than the first one, finally see it taking rough terrain at speed and doesn’t look to bad.
I don’t think that we’ll see video of pod swapping action yet because I don’t think they’ve built any of them.
decision must be coming soon, hope the dithering over the hung parliament doesn’t slow it down
I disagree. The Ocelot still looks to be mediocre off road. The suspension looks both inflexible and of very short travel. At about 40 seconds into the first video it looks bloody awful! Bounces all over the place and fishtails badly too. The suspension wasn’t doing it’s primary job that of keeping the wheels in contact with the ground. To me, from what can be made out on the videos, the Supacat looks to be much smoother in the rough stuff.
Ocelot, however, doesn’t look like a bread van . . .
Peter I agree…. The SPV is not a good looker, the ocelot on the other hand looks really ally. As I said before if we could combine the two it would be awesome. Like the Ocelot rear wheel steering. Does the SPV have that I’m not sure. Would like to see them fully kitted up and see how they perform then!
On a serious note as long as they do their job I really don’t mind
Yes, Phil, it does seem a shame that one of the two has to lose! Adding modular, Supacat air suspension units would, possibly, make the Ocelot go as well as it looks. In fact, air suspension is a goos idea anyway since it allows for the ‘springs’ to compensate automatically depending on the load
the modular concept seems like such a good idea it might be worth sacrificing in other areas.
The Ocelot seems to have its axles further forward and rearward than the SPV400, would make for better obstacle negotiation as there is less of an overhang.
Throw in a 6×6 variant and we actually stand a half decent chance of having a coherent light vehicle fleet.
Greater chance of beaching in between the wheels though.
The SPV400 is supposed to be on the same chassis as the Jackal, so theoretically Jackal 3 would be able to make use of the same chassis survivability developments.
Admin et al I am all for the LPPV being the backbone of our light forces fleet and if produced in 4×4 and 6×6 versions with many variations (I am not sure the Army is really keen on the interchangeable module idea, nice in theory but in practice that’s another matter) but lets have lots of versions so we can field a true armoured/mine protected range of vehicles to replace ALL Land Rovers, Pinz’s/Vectors and Jackals.
If it had to be good looking, they’d have never made the Sten gun……..