BAE Systems To Display Advanced Combat Engineer Vehicle At DSEi 2013

BAE Systems’ Terrier Combat Engineer Vehicle, the most advanced combat engineer vehicle, will be showcased at DSEi 2013.

The latest vehicle to be accepted into service with the British Army, Terrier has been designed with an integrated electronic architecture which facilitates ‘drive-by-wire’ and remote control making the vehicle highly capable, survivable and adaptable. 

Likened to a combat ‘Swiss Army Knife’, Terrier is one of the most versatile, agile and adaptable combat vehicles and can carry out multiple roles in the most demanding battlefield conditions.

Typical applications include providing mobility support (obstacle and route clearance), counter-mobility (digging of anti-tank ditches and other obstacles) and survivability (digging of trenches and Armoured Fighting Vehicle slots).

With a flying weight of 32 tonnes, which allows it to be transported in the A400M airlifter, Terrier provides strategic air transportability as well as being extremely mobile on the ground on all terrains, reaching speeds of up to 70 kph and with a road range of 600km. 

Terrier is the first combat vehicle with drive-by-wire technology and “special to role” computers which manage the automotive and combat engineer systems respectively allowing electronic signals sent by the vehicle’s computers to perform functions.

Physical connections are maintained between the driver and the essential automotive systems for safety and survivability reasons, but the vehicle is capable of being fully controlled via the commander’s joysticks through the drive-by-wire systems and the front loader and the excavator arm hydraulic systems are fully controlled through the databus. 

Moreover, the vehicle can be operated by wireless remote control up to 1km away, using a gaming type controller and remote cameras. The remote control interface would be readily recognised by any computer gamer, making this capability easy for new recruits to learn.

In addition to the Terrier vehicle, BAE Systems has delivered a full suite of integrated logistic support and a complete state of the art training capability including mission and scenario based training using innovative student led exploration to maximise engagement and knowledge retention. Operators and maintainers are trained simultaneously through a combination of high fidelity, full motion simulators, virtual emulations of the vehicle and its systems and hands-on ‘live’ experience. An initial five year programme of Contractor Logistic Support covering fleet management, technical advice, maintenance and logistics support was commenced on 1 April 2013. 

Sixty vehicles are being delivered under the programme which are being built in Newcastle.