The model chosen to replace the Snatch is called Ocelot light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV) and it has been designed by Force Protection Europe and Ricardo. The vehicle won the Ministry of Defence contract thanks to several of its attributes, including the price and the V-shaped shell (which replaces the chassis) which protects its occupants from blasts coming from under the vehicle.
The information about the vehicle, which is expected to enter service with the armed forces sometime by 2011, is very limited, but some details are however known. According to BBC, the vehicle accelerates from naught to 50 mph (80 km/h) in 19.75 seconds, mostly because of its weight of 7.5 tons.
As did the model it will be replacing, the Ocelot comes equipped with technologies which will make it a force in off-roading.
“The whole architecture has been designed with survivability in mind from the outset rather than having survivability added to it which is what we have seen with most vehicles in Afghanistan,” Graeme Rumbol of Ricardo was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
Being intended as a vehicle to be used in war zones, the Ocelot has another unique and useful feature. It can be rebuilt in several hours, with only 30 minutes being required to replace the engine.
“Small, agile but highly protected, the LPPV is at the forefront of technology,” added the Minister for Defence Equipment Peter Luff.
“It will offer troops unprecedented levels of blast protection for such a light vehicle, enabling them to carry out a wide range of tasks, whilst moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges.”
Google News