BAE Systems, Norway tie up to develop SEP armoured vehicle transmission

BAE Systems announced a teaming arrangement with Kongsberg Devotek A/S of Norway to develop a new system of gears and transmissions for the Spitterskyddad Enhets Platform (SEP) 8x8 armored vehicle. SEP is a family of wheeled and tracked vehicles providing superior survivability and a unique level of flexibility to meet the needs of current and future forces around the globe. “Selecting Kongsberg Devotek A/S is a result of a long search for good partners for the SEP program to benefit our customers”, says Hans Häggberg, purchasing director at BAE Systems Hägglunds. “We have a long and successful history working with the Norwegian industrial base and this partnership builds a strong base for continued success allowing us to leverage our people, products and technology worldwide to fulfill our customer needs”. SEP will benefit militaries around the globe by using a universal platform to fulfill many different operational roles. The vehicle is years ahead of its competitors in innovation with a focus on low costs during its entire service life. "The contract with BAE Systems is of great importance to Devotek and a milestone in our efforts of obtaining a deeper and wider engagement in the defence business—a strategic focus for the company for several years," says Dr. Bård Vestgård, Manager for Project & Technology at Kongsberg Devotek. This partnership is the result of an extensive selection process to find a supplier which is able to offer best value and has an ability to deliver pre-series hardware within the extremely short project time. It requires delivery of a complete SEP system including development, delivery of prototype equipment and support.