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Cummins diesels power to new success
Monday, 10 September, 2007
US company Cummins has extended its success in Europe with an additional order for 400 Darlington-built B-series engines to repower FV432 Mk 2 armoured personnel carriers. Orders for an initial 500 engines have now been increased to 900 units. The British Army vehicles will be converted to the enhanced FV432 Mk 3 with the B-series 186kW (250hp) engines, which will substantially improve reliability and durability.
The engines will also reduce exhaust emission signature and allow extension of vehicle life to 2025. Some have been fitted with an enhanced armour protection package and are called the FV432 Mk 3 (uparmoured) Bulldog, which has already
been used in combat in Iraq. The conversion was trialled by BAE Systems and the British Army using three prototype vehicles supported by Darlington’s Customer Engineering & Pilot Centre teams.
An additional contract has been awarded by BAE Systems Hägglunds to supply Euro 3 ISBe engines rated at 186kW (250hp). These will power the BvS10 Viking armoured all-terrain vehicles, which will be used for transporting equipment for the Watchkeeper UAV programme. First engines will be delivered at the end of 2007. These new vehicles will follow the previous batch of Vikings supplied to the Royal Marines (108).
With high power to weight ratio and clean combustion technology, the Cummins ISBe significantly enhances the stealth capability of military vehicles. Lower engine noise (up to 9dBA less) reduces the acoustic signature and visible smoke emissions are virtually eliminated.
Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, US, Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries. The company’s substantial manufacturing presence in Europe includes the mid-range engine plant at Darlington in the UK and the high horsepower engine plant at Daventry, UK.
 The quiet ISBe diesel engine significantly enhances the stealth capability of military vehicles |