New Armoured Truck for the CF

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by John McGillivray

I saw on CTV News Net that the Canadians have received new Armoured Heavy Support Vehicles (AHSVS) in Afghanistan, based on the Mercedes-Benz Actros truck.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/070525-1.htm

John..
Sure don't look too blast proof,from the picture shown..The whole under gear is exposed,but probably blast plates would be installed at field level..

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

John..
Sure don't look too blast proof,from the picture shown..The whole under gear is exposed,but probably blast plates would be installed at field level..

Nothing is really blast proof, but you can mitigate the effects of a blast. I recommend all interested parties go to the CASR webpage for some info on the truck and its protection package (paste the fol URL in the browser address window: - add www.sfu.ca/casr/bg-ahsvs-project.htm and sfu.ca/casr/doc-dnd-ahsvs-actros.htm).

As for the cost of the truck - what price do place on your life? I am sure our soldiers (particularly the transport folks who seem to get a lot of attention from the bad guys won't quibble over the cost of the truck...). Besides, the cost is a bit of a red herring. Dividing the number of vehicles by the project price does not tell the real story - it leaves out a lot of detail such as program costs, other equipment costs (trailers/PLS/SEVs/pods of various natures) and the associated ILS costs. There is no argument that these vehicles are expensive, but again, I ask, if it were your butt on the line, would you quibble?

[RHClarke]

Here are some shots of the Actros as it was on display during the CANSEC exposition this past week.

Info board:


This shot shows just how BIG this beast is - I am a shade over 6ft3in tall and am standing on the second step of the observation deck.


Cab shot:


Door shot - note the arty fuze plug style door handle:



Steering gear:


Haib station:


Winch:


Tires (massive as one would expect)


Long shot:


We were not permitted to go inside the cab, but I can only imagine how luxurious the Mercedes folks made the cab for the driver and pax.

[RHClarke]

There were some contenders for the medium truck project including this offering from MAN:

Lil fella:


Cab interior:



Flat rack system:


Rear shot:


Here is how they compare in size (note that the MAN is closer to the camera):


The Stewart and Stevenson offering:

[RHClarke]

As seen at CANSEC:

US Armd Security Vehicle



International:



I did not get shots of all the vehicles on display - I actually had to work at this exposition this year...spare the pity!

[Jon Skagfeld]

Reference: Contenders for the MLVW replacement (the MSVS [Medium Support Vehicle System])

From now 'til the end of May, the competing vehicles will be tested by 18 selected soldiers at LFCTA TC Meaford. These guys will be shortly signing non-disclosure conditions, and the M106 hangar and surrounding compound will be off limits.

With camera in hand, I shall be lurking about on-base, gleaning what info might be gained.

Rob: was CANSEC at CSDH?

[RHClarke]

[QUOTE Rob: was CANSEC at CSDH?[/QUOTE]

Jon,

The exposition main site was in the Ottawa Congress Centre with overflow in and around Cartier Square Drill Hall - much to the chagrin to the peaceniks and pinkos who run (down) city hall, which is next door.

Next Spring CANSEC will be held at or near Lansdowne Park - providing more opportunities for driving new mil vehicles.

Let's hope your trials drivers pick better than the gunners who trialed and chose the Giat 105mm POS.

Cheers,

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

......."much to the chagrin to the peaceniks and pinkos who run (down) city hall, ....."

Tazer 'em,the devil take 'em and send them to 'Gitmo....!!

Rob...
Were you not out there laying on a taste of military hickory,,,????

and your next assignment is to square off those %#*^$(@&*&*%$* fiends that are ramming our fisher friends that are battling those murderous seals that are killing our cod...man ..woman and little Tommy cod..

Watch this and learn the truth..

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=G8sz-cT0btQ