British design engineering group delivers solutions . . . and positions for global defence sector debut

Could Team Z’s radical SRV solution ‘snatch’ UK MoD’s LPPV requirement?

Defence Vehicle Dynamics – Millbrook 24th – 25th June 2009, Stand OR8

Wednesday, 24th June 2009 --[ASDWire]-- Defence sector ascendant vehicle design, development and concept engineering group, Creation, is to use DVD to make an interim announcement about further step changes in its activities. In addition to revealing its latest in-house protected vehicle programmes, two of its Prime partner commissioned complete vehicle design projects will be on display – one of which breaks cover for the first time. The company makes its global defence market debut at the UK’s DSEi show in September this year.

Creation founder and Managing Director, Bill Davis says, ”To respond to the operational requirements we are dealing with today, we have to adopt fresh thinking and a different mindset. This recognises the continuously changing and evolving nature of threat - and that now has to shape everything we do. Compromise is not an option – particularly if we expect troops to have reasonable trust in their vehicles to protect them.

“We have to start by defining viable ‘protected envelope’ solutions which precisely match threat to operational requirements … the technical specification is then developed to support that. In the past, there has been a tendency to look for partial solutions, which are already either in service or commercially available – and then adapt and progressively upgrade them. That approach is now time-served … we have moved on”, says Bill Davis.


Zephyr SRV … ‘Team Z’ LPPV contender breaks cover

The new Zephyr SRV (Specific Requirements Vehicle) programme, being unveiled at DVD, is an all-new protected vehicle platform for which Creation has established ‘Team Z’ through a teaming agreement with defence manufacturer and through-life support specialist, Babcock. A variant of the Zephyr SRV will be put forward as part of a Creation / Babcock Team Z joint bid to win the forthcoming UK MoD UOR contract for the design and build of a new Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) to replace the current in-service ‘Snatch’ Land Rover. A Zephyr SRV package is also to be submitted for the OUVS (Small) competition, for which Babcock was down-selected last year.

A central feature of the Zephyr SRV design is the inclusion of a composite ‘occupant survival cell’. Surrounding protection includes a V-form belly plate and an integral blast mitigation system. Protection is specified for minimum STANAG 4569 level 2 mine protection and level 2-3 KE protection. Fragment protection is taken to level 4.

The vehicle has been designed to meet worldwide deployment criteria – A1-C1 operating – and A1-C2 for storage. The unit is also specified for climatic conditions A2-C1 (+56ºC to -32ºC) for storage – and down to C2 extreme at -56ºC for operations. The Zephyr SRV is configured for air transportability within C130 and above – or underslung below CH47. Mobility is designed to meet and exceed IMM at a gross vehicle weight of 7000kg – with an effective payload capability of 2500kg, assuming standard designed protection levels.

The vehicle envelope is designed to accommodate a range of powertrain options, dependent on end user specification. The initial Zephyr SRV has been developed to incorporate a rapid access and removal ‘cassette’ mounting for the engine – to facilitate removal and replacement, 6-speed automatic transmission and both centre and final drive locking differentials. Independent height adjustable suspension is included to adapt ground clearance, ride and handling to suit operating conditions.

“We are delighted to be working with Babcock to compete for the UK MoD’s LPPV requirement. The Zephyr SRV concept is designed to do exactly what it says – meet the specific requirements of the end user – and we see the future of the Zephyr programme potentially as a world market product”, says Bill Davis.

The vehicle envelope can be configured for a wide range of operational roles, body types and specialist applications such as pick-up utility vehicle, troop carrier, command and control, Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (WMIK), reconnaissance and battlefield ambulance. Crew and seating layouts can be varied from two to eight occupants, to suit operational requirements. Space is also allocated for weapons fit, communications suites, situational awareness (SA) systems and other electronic devices – inline with LPPV and other comparable requirements. Additional features include fully integrated Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and the capability to support exportable power requirements.

Babcock Equipment Solutions Managing Director, Roger Gillespie says, “We are delighted to be working with Creation on the new Zephyr SRV vehicle. This versatile design will provide the basis for both our joint LPPV bid, and also for our OUVS (Small) submission for which Babcock was short-listed last year. Close working and collaboration with industry partners and the MoD is key to delivering battle-winning vehicles to the front-line, on-time and cost-effectively.”

The new Zephyr SRV vehicle is displayed in the Off-Road area at DVD on the Creation stand (OR8) and on the Babcock stand (OR12 &13).


Creation … increasingly a ‘Partner of Choice’

Further examples of Creation’s innovative, concept-up vehicle design for Land Systems customers are being shown elsewhere at DVD. Creation’s track record has already earned the company a reputation and market position as a ‘Partner of Choice’ with a number of major international Primes and Tier 1 contractors.

Creation’s first prototype vehicle to be produced in conjunction with Lockheed Martin Land Systems – the LM AVA-1 – appears on the Babcock stand. Primarily designed and developed in the UK, the prototype vehicle has the potential to meet several emerging requirements for the UK and elsewhere - and is the first Creation development to utilise LM’s Adaptive Vehicle Architecture (AVA). Six metres long and weighing in at 12,000kg, the 4x4 variant vehicle also features a modified V-shaped hull, which is as survivable as the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) platforms, whilst having greater mobility and sprint speeds.

Lockheed Martin shows a 6x6 variant of Creation’s AVA design, configured to meet the requirements of the OUVS programme. The powertrain incorporates a Cummins turbo-intercooled diesel engine, driving through an Allison automatic transmission.

Creation’s capability at the heavier ‘FRES’ level of the sector is also revealed at the show. The company expects it’s fully protected and integrated design for a world-class 3-axle challenger to current US-built alternatives to attract interest from a number of international defence agencies and manufacturers.
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Note to Editors:
Creation is one of Britain’s leading independent, design, development, vehicle engineering and project management specialists. Its reputation is based on proven capability, practical understanding of operational requirements and UOR-style rapid turnaround on turnkey vehicle projects. It is able to provide a seamless fulfilment capability between requirements capture and concept creation - through to viable, engineered and fully integrated vehicle solutions.