Time to get real about the Force Protection Ocelot. Its not a small vehicle. Its almost 18 feet long. Its almost 8 feet tall. Its narrower than a HUMVEE but only by a few inches....and once the HUMVEEs are RESET and Upgraded they will only gain a capsule and suspension improvements. Meaning that they will be no wider and will probably only match the Ocelot in height. Much as my buddy Think Defence loves the Ocelot, its not the world beater that our friends across the pond might want us to believe.
| via Wikipedia...Production history | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Ricardo Plc / Force Protection Europe |
| Designed | 2009–2010 |
| Manufacturer | Force Protection Europe |
| Produced | 2011– (projected) |
| Variants | Prototype |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7,500 kg (7.4 long tons) |
| Length | 5.32 m (17 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) |
| Height | 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in) |
| Speed | 110 km/h (68 mph) |
I think the idea is NOT to exceed what the "improved" HUMVEEs are like now?
ReplyDeleteWill EITHER vehicle fit inside an Osprey?
FP claims its JAMMA will.
I asked FP for an Ocelot spec sheet & will fwd to you.
Just my 2cents but Ocelot is aimed at lower end of the combat vehicle spectrum isn't it?
Disclaimer I own FP US stock.
i'm not sure.
ReplyDeletei know that the Ocelot is suppose to be a real deal no shit, light weight MRAP with all terrain capability.
i don't know if its suppose to compete with the MATV or if this is suppose to be a cheap JLTV.
i guess i have more digging to do...heading over to think defence website now.
The Ocelot is definitely aimed at the same market as the JLTV. Australia is looming at the Ocelot, Hawkei, Gen IV Eagle and the 3 JLTV for our 1300x vehicle order under Project Overlander Ph 4, whose requirements basically mirror JLTV.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome for the photo, too... :)
Regards,
AD.
private message me...i'm confused! oh and thank you!
ReplyDeleteAs I keep telling the wife, its not the size of the wand but the magic within!
ReplyDeleteSol, you have to look at Ocelot/Foxhound in the context of what it is replacing
The Snatch Land Rover is about two feet shorter, a foot shorter and another foot narrower so in the context of this it is a modest increase. Both the height and width can be explained by the constraints of a V shaped hull, its basic geometry.
So in terms of size, it is slightly larger and of course about a couple of tonnes heavier but for this we are getting a vehicle that
1.
Is a step change in survivability, big time
2.
High manoeuvrable, the competition for the Light protected Patrol Vehicle requirement that the Ocelot won had one of its major requirements as a turning circle of 12m (about a metre less than Snatch) which is pretty good for a vehicle like this. Off road capability looks to be good as well
So what we are getting is something with the approximate size and manoeuvrability of a Snatch (swings and roundabouts) with the similar protection of a Cougar 4x4 (Ridgeback in the UK)
That looks a pretty good combination to me
No add in a few other factors
1.
Its modular construction means it can easily be re-roled/fixed in theatre so big logistics benefits there
2.
Its modular construction allows means it will be able to replace a wide variety of types. This is arguably more important that the other factors because the proliferation of vehicles in UK service
3.
The electrical and systems architecture will support comms, ECM, HUMS, offboard power generation etc which will improve usability and availability
4.
It is an extensible design and could well meet the OUVS requirement for larger vehicles, even greater commonality benefits
5.
It a modern design with the latest in ergonomics and automotives, leaning heavily on experience of Ricardo in motorsport
I am not saying its the second coming or anything but I think starting from scratch avoids the inherant compromise of adapting a commercial vehicle and allows a genuinely fresh approach to be taken.
Is it better than a HUMVEE, M-ATV, JLTV or Hawkei, I don't know, are they built to the same requirements. Maybe a re-engineered HUMVEE makes more sense for US forces but that doesn't mean it doesn't make sense for the UK.
TD to which I would add the our Marines are concerned about size & growth of tactical vehicles AND have already dropped larger MRAPs from consideraton (except EOD vehicles). I hear there are also concerns with JTLV which may lead USMC to drop out of that program.
ReplyDeleteSo I think Ocelot should be considered given its size and all the pros you list above.
But you know Americans have a real problem with NIH - its too bad. Upgraded aka Supersized HUMVEEs may come in first?
And it looks like an ice cream truck.
ReplyDelete