The nature of warfare is changing, resulting in new requirements for vehicles. Whilst there is a persistent need to protect troops from mines, roadside bombs and IED’s using highly armoured patrol vehicles, the consequent escalation in armour and protection has led to vehicles designed to move troops across country and rough terrain becoming increasingly heavy and cumbersome to the point where they may be described as “mobile pillboxes”. For example the M1151 Humvee weighs more than twice the original model, the M998, and all the additional armour and equipment, whilst having its place, means the vehicle can no longer fulfill many of the roles for which it was originally designed.

These developments, coupled with a continuing and increasing need to move small bodies of men over short range and across extremely rough terrain, have highlighted the need for much smaller, lighter, relatively unarmoured vehicles to fulfill a range of missions. Thus, the light strike vehicle (LSV) was born for fast hit-and-run raids, reconnaissance missions, border and security patrols, special operations support and counter-insurgency work. Whereas traditional vehicles are having to be fitted with six inch thick blast protection panels, it is much harder to set an IED trap for an LSV that does not have to use roads or predictable routes. This allows the LSV to remain light, fast, agile and true to its original design intentions whilst also maintaining a reasonable payload capacity.

The Solution

The PHOBOS system has been developed to provide an operational and commercial solution for forces and organisations requiring a LSV capability.

Based around a core design that ensures high levels of parts commonality and minimizes the time from order to delivery, PHOBOS can be configured to satisfy a range of operational requirements. These include:

·        2 man extreme terrain reconnaissance vehicle

·        3 man light strike and reconnaissance vehicle

·        4 man light strike and reconnaissance vehicle

·        2 man PHOBOS utility / pickup for remote forward operating positions

·        Casualty extraction / transport vehicle

Development to date

A prototype vehicle was built and has been in testing for over 12 months during which period refinements to the original concept have been identified. Testing included assessing several different types of suspension units to find the ideal solution offering performance, strength, ease of maintenance and “tuneability” to allow one type to meet the range of needs across the PHOBOS system.

The spaceframe has been re-designed to incorporate these improvements while increasing strength and occupant safety. The re-design has also been focused upon producing a frame design that can be built cost effectively. To this end, the frame is designed to be built as a set of two-dimensional sub-assemblies that can be assembled in simple planar jigs before construction of the final assembly that is largely self-jigging.

A pre-production vehicle (two seater) is now in assembly. This is being used as the base to develop modular wiring and plumbing systems and other details prior to final design for series production.

The PHOBOS concept and model has been discussed with a number of senior military and security personnel, and received favourable responses. It has already attracted interest from a western European customer looking to source a three-seat platform for a North Asian client.

Specification is as follows

TIG welded spaceframe built from Clubman 500 CDS

110″ wheelbase

Double trianguated four link suspension front and rear

16″ travel suspension struts all round, springless, internal hydraulic bump and limit stops, fully adjustable

Full hydraulic high speed steering

Ford PUMA 2.4 l diesel engine (as in current Land Rover Defender)

4 speed ZF automatic box, fully adjustable shift pattern

Land Rover full-time 4×4 transfer case with locking differential

Custom axle housings

High Pinion 9″ differentials with air operated lockers

1.5″ 300M 35 spline shafts all round

Axle is built to be disassembled / repaired very quickly. For example outer knuckles are held on by 2 bolts, unit bearings are pre-assembled and replace with only 4 bolts.

37″ x 12.5″ tyres (can run up to a 42″)

Forged aluminium rims with internal beadlocks

HIgh performance winches front and centre / rear

FIA approved / burst proof / anti-explosion fuel cells giving over 1000km range

Panels are kevlar composite with a carbon fibre outer layer

To see the original extreme motorsport version in action click here

For more information contact Mike Strevens at Aerco. mstrevens@aerco.co.uk

Our resident geek Mike Strevens took a couple of days out to visit the Oxley Manufacturing Sites last week in Cumbria.

He was in nerd heaven when Oxley’s Mark Johnson walked him around the entire manufacturing process for the discreet/EMI filters.

Oxley are leading specialists in the effective suppression of electromagnetic interference with a wide range of EMI/RFI filtering solutions. To help you solve your EMC problems, through Aerco, Oxley can advise on the most suitable filter solution for your specific application from the standard product range or develop a custom filter solution if required. 

Each filter is hand made to suit the indivdual requirement of the customer and will suit virtually any connector on the market.

Chassis Mounting Filters

A wide range of chassis mounting filters are available. The extensive range includes solder mounted, threaded and press fit. Many have hermetic versions and all are designed and manufactured to the highest quality.

PCB Mounting Filters

Designed in both through hole and surface mounting configurations, the Oxley range of PCB mounting filters offers both C and PI section filtering. Surface mounting devices can be supplied taped and reeled where required.

Filtered Connectors

Utilising design, engineering and manufacturing experience Oxley can offer filter solutions for circular, rectangular (D-Sub and miniature D-Sub), ARINC, and DIN configurations. Extensive in-house ceramic production facility can supply high quality planar, tubular and discoidal capacitors to provide a total filtering solution.

Filter Arrays

Oxley specialise in providing a unique service for the design and integration of filter capacitors into equipment for a specific customer application. Utilising in-house design, assembly and manufacturing facilities we provide high quality components to both military and industrial applications.

Ceramic Planar Capacitor Arrays

Oxley are at the forefront of the development of planar capacitor arrays. Utilising high quality ceramic tape technology, we are able to supply planar arrays for both standard connector plan forms and special requirements.

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

In addition to short lead-times (2 weeks) Aerco will also offer full technical support and after-sales service.

On Thursday October 18th 2007 the only airworthy Vulcan bomber in the world returned
to the skies over Leicestershire when Avro Vulcan XH558, having last flown 14 years ago
after a 33 year career in the Royal Air Force, took to the air from Bruntingthorpe airfield
for a 34-minute test flight.

Having helped to restore this historic aircraft by acting as a consulting company on
connector requirements providing data and drawings of connectors and contacts originally
used on the aircraft. We also supplied samples and production connectors at subsidised
prices to help the project.

This wonderful achievement, unique in the history of aviation, marks the end of a 10-year
effort by the Vulcan To The Sky Trust and for the past two years a team of 24 engineers
have spent £6 million making the jet airworthy.

It was hoped that the aircraft would become a regular sight at air shows and Farnborough Air Show 2008 proved just the place. What an amazing sight to see this historic bomber fly again. The noise and sheer beauty of this aircraft left alot of us in awe.

A little history on the bomber. Designed by A.V. Roe and Company, the Avro
Vulcan, a revolutionary delta-winged bomber, was used by the RAF from 1956 to 1984 during
which time it spearheaded British nuclear and conventional bombing capability and
achieved dramatic success in the 1982 Falkland conflict.

Fundraising still continues and if you would like to know more on this project
please visit http://www.tvoc.co.uk.