UK MoD Future Protected Vehicle

[Triton]

From theworacle via YouTube:

This UK Ministry of Defence video shows a concept called the Future Protected Vehicle - a light weight vehicle intended to have the effectiveness and survivability of a main battle tank. The scenario shows the vehicle deploying a tilt-duct VTOL UAV to locate targets for its smart projectiles. The concept is part of the UK MoD's Defence Technology Plan, released on February 26 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFbbc00jnbQ

 

[mithril]

the concept of giving a light tank deployable UAV's and UGV's is a decent one IMO, but the vehicles in the video is one of the dumbest thing's i've ever seen...unless that thing is bigger than an M1, where the hell would the crew sit?

 

[red admiral]

It's not an actual concept, just art. The program is part of the "Capability Visions" program that is trying to revolutionise various aspects of Defence. Another Capabilty Vision is trying to reduce the amount of kit a soldier has to carry to 15kg.

A google search for "Future Protected Vehicle" pulls up a pdf from MoD with more details about the program. I've no idea on the progress of it.

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems Pointer UGV: a go-anywhere quadruped robot with tracked legs which would perform as a forward observer and support ground troops.

Artist's impressions of BAE Systems Pointer UGV concept for the MoD Future Protected Vehicle program.

Source:
http://www.gizmag.com/bae-systems-future-vehicle-concepts/17361/

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems Wraith: a low signature tank-like scout vehicle designed to infiltrate behind enemy lines which would utilize "Holistic Signature Management" – which includes a high efficiency central cooling system – and a High Powered Microwave emitter for disruption of electronic equipment at long ranges and a "less than lethal but disabling" effect for scenarios like riot control. This type of vehicle would also pack integrated biometrics which could be used to automate surveillance and, for example, pick out particular faces or behaviors in a crowded situation.

Artist's impression of BAE Systems Wraith concept for the MoD Future Protected Vehicle program.

Source:
http://www.gizmag.com/bae-systems-future-vehicle-concepts/17361/

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems Bearer: a highly-adaptable payload vehicle which could support logistics and supply as well as ambulance or command and control roles.

Artist impression of BAE Systems Bearer concept for the MoD Future Protected Vehicle program.

Source:
http://www.gizmag.com/bae-systems-future-vehicle-concepts/17361/

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems Charger: described as a "highly specialized lethal effects vehicle", the Charger is a cross between a tank and a bulldozer. Apart from it's ability to punch through walls, the 30 tonne vehicle could be equipped with vertical launched missiles, mortars and/or cannon depending on the target. It would also employ actuated spaced armor options designed to create space between the vehicle and it's shield. This could include using electro-magnetic magnets that could be deployed to "float" above a vehicle in a threatening situation.

Artist's impression of BAE Systems Charger concept for the MoD Future Protected Vehicle program.

Source:
http://www.gizmag.com/bae-systems-future-vehicle-concepts/17361/

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems Raider: an two tonne unmanned vehicle designed for scouting and skirmishes that could operate via remote control or autonomously in applications like perimeter patrol.

Artist's impressions of BAE Systems Raider concept for the MoD Future Protected Vehicle program.

Sources:
http://www.gizmag.com/bae-systems-future-vehicle-concepts/17361/
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/27/experimental-tank-design-based-batmobile/

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems Safeguard: this utility vehicle is envisioned as the backbone of an armored infantry unit. It would integrate armored protection with advanced Command and Control systems and have space for eight fully equipped soldiers or the transport of UGVs like the Pointer.

BAE Systems Atlas: the Atlas is a convoy vehicle concept which would use drive-by-wire, intelligent driver aids or tele-operation to keep humans completely out of the firing line when moving equipment from place to place.

Artist's impression of two Raider skirmishers (front) and a Charger attack vehicle providing protection for an Atlas convoy and two armed Safeguard troop carriers

From Gizmag:

These vehicles would make use of a raft of new technologies outlined by BAE systems. Some of those not mentioned above include systems that extract water from air (around 7 litres per hour is possible according to BAE), intelligent power management and "Power in Structure" systems that would store and transmit power through the internal structure of the vehicle, nano-scale fuel additives to increase efficiency and soft vertical launch missiles which could engage targets through 360 degrees without moving the turret or vehicle.

Source:
http://www.gizmag.com/bae-systems-future-vehicle-concepts/17361/

 

[Orionblamblam]

James Cameron predicts the future again... US Colonial Marine roboguns and tracked Hunter-Killer Terminators.

 

[Triton]

Artist's impressions of a lightweight tank concept for the MoD Future Protected Vehicle program.

Source:
http://www.computerweekly.com/galleries/235075-8/Future-protected-vehicle.htm
http://www.computerweekly.com/galleries/235075-9/Breakdown-of-lightweight-tank.htm
http://www.computerweekly.com/galleries/235075-10/Future-protected-vehicles.htm

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems press release issued December, 16, 2010:

"Armoured Vehicle Study Turns Sci-fi to Sci-fact"

FARNBOROUGH, UK - A vehicle which can "sweat" to improve stealth was among hundreds of ideas presented to the UK Ministry of Defence from a BAE Systems study designed to show them the future.

The Future Protected Vehicle programme aims to highlight both short and long-term technologies and concepts which can be used to boost the effectiveness of lightweight armoured vehicles.

The numbers give an idea of the scale of the programme: 567 technologies and 244 vehicle concepts were investigated following engagement with 35 organisations.

From this array of concepts, the team subsequently developed seven concept vehicles, each highlighting technologies which could support a particular specialisation. No fewer than 47 of the technologies were highlighted as being suitable for immediate pursuit.

The BAE Systems team made a point of gathering ideas from as wide a spectrum as possible, including academe and industry. A series of "Dragons' Den*" style panels identified ideas for further study, funded out of the £2 million DSTL (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) contract.

The team even engaged Shanklea Primary School near Newcastle where pupils were invited to participate in design classes to stimulate interest in engineering as a career.

The study was managed for the MoD by DSTL. Its land strategy lead John Hunt commented: "I was very impressed by the work. Not just by the outputs, but also the inclusivity with which the study was carried out and the robust systems engineering methodology underpinning it."

"The 'quick wins' element was particularly pleasing as support to current operations is vital," Hunt added.

Hisham Awad, who works on emerging technologies for BAE System's Vehicles business, commented: "BAE Systems has signalled intent for future armoured vehicles programmes by bidding and winning the research contracts that enable bright ideas to become new innovative and highly capable vehicles."

The team already has a contract extension to do further work and will bid for the next phase virtual prototyping work.

The seven concept vehicles were:

* Pointer: an agile robot which can take over dirty, dull or dangerous jobs, such as forward observation to support the dismounted soldier;

* Bearer: a modular platform which can carry a range of mission payloads, such as protected mobility, air defence and ambulance;

* Wraith: a low signature scout vehicle;

* Safeguard: an ultra-utility infantry carrier or command and control centre;

* Charger: a highly lethal and survivable reconfigurable attack vehicle;

* Raider: a remotely or autonomously controlled unmanned recce and skirmishing platform; and

* Atlas: a convoy system (retrofittable if necessary) which removes the driver from harm's way.

Ideas identified for exploitation include:

* Sweating vehicle could use water from a diesel or fuel cell propulsion system to reduce a vehicle's thermal signature by "sweating" it out through pores in the vehicle skin. That same water could also be reclaimed to enable soldiers to stay in the field for longer.

* eCamouflage will allow a vehicle to match its camouflage to its surroundings by using electronic ink - rather like a squid.

* Integrated biometrics will ease the workload on soldiers in complex crowd situation such as roadblocks and riots by running video surveillance through facial recognition and behaviour modelling software to spot potential troublemakers.

* Active protection will intercept incoming fire or disrupt targeting mechanisms while actuated spaced armour will allow a vehicle to deploy in "compact" mode before extending its armour to provide increased stand-off distance. A version of this is envisaged as employing electro-magnetic magnets to "float" above a vehicle to provide protection from aerial threats.

Quick wins using available technology include:

* Advanced oil filtration will remove water and tiny particles from engine oil to extend to the life of the engine and eliminate oil changes;

* Handheld target acquisition devices integrated into the vehicle architecture will improve flexibility and capability; and

* Thermo-electric power generation, which uses the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the exhaust pipe, offers better fuel efficiency, more electrical power and improved stealth.

"Dragons' Den" is a BBC TV programme in which budding entrepreneurs bid for cash from venture capital "dragons" for their business ideas.

Source:
http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_1101116133921.html

 

[Grey Havoc]

An early BAE FPV concept, the Gorilla:

IMAGE CREDIT: theENGINEER
Original caption: BAE’s far-future concepts include the hybrid walker-wheel variant tank, known as the Gorilla​

 

[Grey Havoc]

From last year: https://www.contracts.mod.uk/do-features-and-articles/100-years-of-the-tank/

Land Apache: A lightweight (13 ton) very agile platform with advanced suspension and electric drive. Equipped with long range sensors and missiles, it would exploit networking with other platforms and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence gathering and the defeat of threats

Urban Operations Vehicle: A medium weight (22 ton) vehicle optimised for operations in urban areas. Multi-wheel steer, long travel suspension and electric drive provide agility. Multiple sensors and weapon systems allow the simultaneous detection and engagement of threats, advanced active protection systems provide protection against rocket propelled grenades and other threats fired from short ranges. The vehicle can be fitted with a dozer blade and robotic arm for clearing rubble and barriers

Force protection unmanned vehicle: A very lightweight (2 ton), high mobility vehicle that is capable of reaching speeds of 50 mph (80 kph). Its design allows the vehicle to be configured for a range of operational requirements and sophisticated countermeasure launchers for defence.

I've attached the image of the UOV (I think) below.

 

[Grey Havoc]

(h/t eshelon)