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The UK MoD announced in July 2003 that the
BAE Systems Land Systems (formerly Alvis) Multi-role Light Vehicle (MLV)
had been selected as the British Army's Future Command and Liaison
Vehicle (FCLV).
The first procurement contract was signed in November 2003 for an
initial 401 vehicles, with an option for up to 400 more. The vehicle
has been named the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle (CLV).
In June 2004, Thales Defence Optronics was selected to provide the
Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) for the Panther CLV. Thales' DVE
driver's sight is based on an uncooled thermal imager.
Panther CLV is based on a design by Iveco Defence Vehicles Division of
Italy and the vehicles will be manufactured during the period 2006 to
2010. A Development and Demonstration contract covers the build and
test of seven vehicles which were delivered in late 2005, with a
planned in-service date of mid 2007. Acquisition cost for some 401
vehicles is £193 million spread over five years.
The current gross vehicle weight of a Panther CLV is 7.1 tonnes. The
vehicle is to be air transportable, underslung beneath a Chinook
helicopter or carried inside C130, C17 and A400M aircraft.
Panther CLV will replace a range of vehicles which are reaching the
end of their operational lives, for example some types of Land Rover,
Saxon, some FV432 and a number of Combat Vehicle (Reconnaissance)
Tracked. The vehicles will also enter service with the Royal Air Force
Regiment.
Photo
Copyright BAe Systems
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