A new player and definite wild card!
The Terrex 8x8!
I've always been a fan of this vehicle and to be honest and not to throw bombs at Lockheed Martin/Patria or BAE/Iveco but this may be the most technologically advanced vehicle yet in this competition.
via Defpro.
16:28 GMT, March 23, 2012 Singapore | ST Kinetics, the land systems arm of ST Engineering, and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) today announced they will team for the upcoming U.S. Marine Corps Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) programme.As a sidenote...
The MPC will provide U.S. Marine infantry formations with an advanced generation eight-wheeled armoured personnel carrier. The MPC is intended to be a highly protected and swim-capable vehicle, with requirements shaped to provide a balance of performance, protection, and payload to ensure it is effective across the full range of military operations. The MPC programme calls for the production of approximately 100 units per year for up to 7 years, with initial awards for the testing and demonstration phase expected in April 2012.
"The SAIC and ST Kinetics team will base its offering on the modern TERREX 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier already fielded by the Singapore Armed Forces. By using existing and proven technology, tailored to Marine expeditionary requirements, we will be able to quickly deliver a simple, elegant, enduring and USMC-usable capability to meet the programme's critical needs and schedule." ~ Dan ZANINI, Senior Vice President and Landforce Systems Operation Manager, SAIC
Under the teaming agreement, SAIC will serve as the prime contractor for the MPC programme, with both companies combining their ground vehicle integration, design, production, fielding, and support expertise to field and provide the best solution to the U.S. Marines.
"We are proud to field ST Kinetics' TERREX as the basis for our team's offering for the USMC MPC programme. We are confident that the advanced design of the TERREX, particularly in the areas of survivability and crew habitability, will underpin an effective and affordable solution usable by the US Marines in a myriad of tough environments." ~ Patrick CHOY, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, ST Kinetics
Who are these guys???? SAIC shows up whenever a foreign company tries to penetrate the US market place. I don't care where it comes from as long as US workers are assembling the product for US forces...but a look at the SAIC website clarifies nothing. SAIC is a mystery to me.
SAIC is a defence consultant company which specializes in IT and communications, but basically has its fingers in every tech-related pie with the US military. They have been around for a loooong time (I believe they were established in the 60's) and basically do all of the grey and black area work for the NSA, Cyber Command, the various Dept. of Energy run labs etc. They also designed and built part of the Defense Network, and run the tech support for it. Hope that clarifies.
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