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UK receives first new MAN ERF trucks
Tuesday, 11 September, 2007
The UK MoD recently took delivery of the first batch of 161 MAN ERF cross-country trucks under a GBP1.3bn contract awarded in March 2005 following an international competition.
Under current contracts a total of 7,216 trucks and 69 trailers will be supplied; this includes an additional order placed last year before quantity production commenced. According to MAN ERF, the programme is on time and within budget and being shown at DSEi this year is an HX (4x4) cargo truck with appliqué armour and a 7,000-litre Unit Support Tanker (6x6).
For the UK contract, chassis and forward control cab are supplied from the MAN production line in Vienna, Austria, and sent to the UK, where the chassis is integrated with the specific-to-role body.
Marshall Specialist Vehicles of Cambridge is fitting the complex load bed, while Fluid Transfer International of Nailsworth is integrating the 7,000-litre fuel tank and associated pumping equipment. The 8x8 recovery vehicles will have equipment supplied and fitted by EKA of the UK. The completed vehicle is then sent to a MAN ERF facility at Ashchurch for its pre-delivery inspection prior to being supplied to the UK MoD, with between six and eight vehicles expected to be delivered a day when production is in full swing.
Most of the vehicles being supplied by MAN ERF will go to the British Army, with some going to the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force. The first 161 vehicles are being used for training at UK bases and first vehicles will be deployed overseas next year. Current deliveries are in 4x4 and 6x6 versions; 8x8 vehicles will follow. It is expected that 700 vehicles of all types will be delivered by the end of 2007, with final deliveries due in 2013. All the vehicles are right hand drive and standard equipment includes full air conditioning. The vehicles will be fitted to take the General Dynamics UK Bowman digital communications system. Some will be fitted with a rear-mounted hydraulic winch or a mechanical handing crane. Apart from the first batch, all vehicles will be fitted for but not with an Adaptive Protection Kit (APK). Under current plans, 1,098 APK will be supplied by the company and these and run-flat tyres will be held in depots and issued to units when they are deployed.
The new MAN ERF fleet for the UK consists of two ranges: the HX Medium Mobility (MM) and the SX Improved Medium Mobility (IMM). The MM consists of 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles, while the IMM consists of 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles only.
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