Military trucks. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles expands production
All-terrain military trucks mainly belong to the NH series; contracts for more than 12000 such machines. The HX series appeared in the 2003 year and has continuously evolved since then. The newest HX2 version was first shown in 2012 year. The first confirmed customer of this version was Australia.
RMMV manufactures a complete chassis, a power unit with a diesel engine and then installs a three-door two-seater cabin, which has improved electromagnetic compatibility.
Trucks of the NH series have a bonnet layout. The cab can either be unprotected (standard), prepared for installation, but not equipped with passive hinged armor, or all-welded, with hinged armor, which the manufacturer called Integrated Armor Cabin (IAC). The latter can be equipped with a retractable wire shut-off device, a Rheinmetall Rapid Obscuring System (ROSY) curtain setting system or an active protection system. If necessary, the IAC cab can be replaced by an unprotected cab.
IAC cabins are manufactured at the Rheinmetall plant in Germany and then fully painted are delivered to Vienna. In Vienna, the cabin is equipped with instruments, driver controls, air conditioning systems and protection against weapons of mass destruction, after which it is installed on the chassis.
Some customers receive complete machines from a factory in Vienna, while others choose to install their own freight or specialized function module in order to increase localization and increase the share of local labor. Additional cab equipment, such as a communications system, a protected combat module, or in some cases a remotely controlled weapon module, are usually supplied as part of government orders.
The largest customer is the UK, which, following the results of the competition, chose the HX series and signed a contract with MAN Truck and Bus for 7415 machines in the 4xXNNXX, 4x6 and 6x8 configurations. Deliveries were completed six months before the mid-year 8 schedule.
Cargo options
Cargo options are equipped with a rear platform with folding sides, roof arches and awning, supplied by the British Marshall; the tank truck is supplied by Fluid Transfer, and the repair module by ESA.
With the exception of the initial batch of HX trucks used for driver training, the entire British fleet has a standard cab equipped with outboard armor. Based on the operating experience and in order to increase the level of protection against rocket-propelled grenades, they were equipped with a protected weapon module and lattice screens by the Barricade project.
In September, 2018, the company RMMV received a British contract worth 43 million euros for the 382 retrofit kit for the improved Enhanced Pallet Loading System (EPLS) palletized system, which will be integrated into the existing HX 8XXNNXX series of the British Army. Deliveries must be completed by January 8.
In addition to the UK, Australia is a major customer, ordering 2536 machines as part of the Project Land 121 (Overlander) Phase 3B, which must be shipped from 2016 to 2020 a year. In September, 2018, Australia ordered an additional 5 truck for the 430 million euro contract under the Phase 1044B contract, which will be delivered in 2020-2024 years.
These trucks are manufactured in Vienna and then sent to Bremerhaven for shipment by cargo ship to Australia. Freight options are sent complete, but on dump trucks and tractors all the necessary equipment is installed in Australia.
Australia operates the HX2 series of trucks in the 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 trucks, most of which go to the evacuation and repair configuration, but a small part is equipped with the Williams Fairey Engineering Limited (WFEL) bridge The 10x10 machines were assembled and tested in the UK and then shipped to Australia by sea. They have a rear axle bridge with a hydropneumatic suspension and a load distribution system; in order to increase maneuverability, the rear axle has steered wheels.
Other overseas customers include Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Kuwait, New Zealand (options are the same as those of the UK), Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates. There is also another unnamed customer from an Asian country who has bought more 800 machines from the 800 HX and TG Mil series. Norway and Sweden buy cars from RMMV together.
In order to meet the needs of the German army UTF (Ungeschutze Transportrahraeuge - unprotected vehicle), RMMV must deliver a 2271 truck for the sum of 750 million euros. The first batch of 558 trucks was delivered in October of the 2018 year. The contract provides for a mixture of options 6x6 (НХ42М) with a loading capacity of 5 tons and 8x8 (НХ44М) with a loading capacity of 8 tons; they have standard unprotected cabins.
Specialized options
In addition to the usual options - cargo, dump truck and evacuation - the HX series machines are used as towing vehicles, towing semi-trailers, as well as for more specialized tasks. The UK, for example, uses the MBX Land Ceptor HX77 8x8 platform for a ground-to-air missile launcher, a Saab anti-aircraft radar chassis, and the Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System fast-bridges. In January, 2019, Sweden ordered 40 HX series trucks 8x8 for its Patriot missile systems.
The Swedish company BAE Systems Bofors is considering the 8x8 version as a platform for its 155-mm / 52 Archer artillery system caliber, which is currently based on the Volvo 6X6 ADT articulated platform. Germany exploits the earlier versions of this model range as a Patriot complex tractor and the 8x8 version as a Roland air defense system chassis.
The HX series machines use common components to reduce operating costs; during the presentation of RMMV, it was stated that these trucks have the greatest load on the front axle in its class, up to 11 tons. They can be delivered in right-hand drive and left-hand drive configurations, with power-assisted front-wheel steering (10x10 also has steered rear wheels). They are distinguished by a specially designed chassis with a ladder frame with leaf springs and electronic architecture adapted for a military vehicle.
MAN diesel engines up to 650 hp are installed on all machines. (500 kW) that meet stringent exhaust requirements, including Euro 6d. Transmission depends on the option, it is either fully automatic, or with elements of automation. As a rule, the equipment includes a front-mounted winch and a crane with a load capacity of 8,7 tons (during cargo transportation).
Until recently, all customers received machines from the RMMV plant in Vienna, but there is a possibility of delivery in the form of vehicle sets for local assembly. The newest serial version is HX2, but RMMV has begun work on the next generation, which is still called FTTF (Future Tactical Truck Family - a promising tactical truck family).
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