Supacat announces Australian partners

Canberra, Australia (UPI) Oct 21, 2011 -Supacat has finalized its Australian partner companies and management structure for its bid to provide the army with a light patrol vehicle.

The Supacat Team Australia partners are Aerostaff, Andrew Engineering, Baker and Provan, Broens Industries, Cablex, Eggler Consulting Engineers, Hallmark Logistics and Engineering, Hofmann Engineering, Marand Precision Engineering, PS Management Consultants, QinetiQ, Tectonica Australia, Unique Solution Partners and VEEM.

Supacat Team Australia is led by Australian national Michael Halloran, who transferred Supacat's headquarters in the United Kingdom where he was managing director.

Halloran has a strong track record in developing new businesses and extensive industry experience gained with prime contractors in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, a Supacat statement said.

"Supacat will be first and foremost an engineering company, solving problems and developing products focused on the people that use them, whether they be soldiers, drillers, lifeboat pilots or miners," said Halloran.

"Secondly, we will be an effective and efficient prime contractor, delivering on time, to cost and to quality. The delivery of the REDFIN 1B project will provide an enduring legacy of Australian capability and provide local companies with entry to global supply chains."

REDFIN is the government's upgrade and new-purchase program for vehicles for the military's special forces, such as are operating in Afghanistan.

Supacat is offering its Special Forces High Mobility Transporter Extenda vehicle, a variant of its Nary, an HMT specifically for the Australian army and a fleet of which was delivered in October 2009. The Nary is named in honor of Warrant Officer David Nary who died during a Middle East pre-deployment exercise in 2005.

Supacat developed its HMT vehicles in the 1990s and! is base d on the company's original All Terrain Mobility Platform. The HMT has improved rough terrain capabilities and also is able to drive longer distances. But it can still fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Since its introduction into service in 2004, the basic HMT vehicle has been adapted in for many specialist roles and over 600 are in service worldwide, Supacat said.

The Extenda version, which Supacat hopes will win the REDFIN tender, is "convertible" version of the basic HMT platform. It can be configured as a 4x4 or 6x6 by fitting or removing a modular, self-contained third axle unit.

A variety of "hamper" units are available that sit atop the third axle, allowing more cargo or personnel space depending on the mission. Hampers can be fitted to carry weapons, communications and force protection equipment to suit a wide range of operational roles.

Australia's Defense Materiel Organization, the military's procurement division, is expected to finalize the successful bidder by the end of the year.

Supacat is up against Force Protection Australasia offering a variant of its Ocelot vehicle, which is being evaluated as part of the Australian government's Land 121 Phase 4 Protected Mobility Vehicle-Light program.

Force Protection Australasia Managing Director Dave Miller said the variant keeps the basic Ocelot design where the crew and passengers sit inside a protective pod made of advanced composite materials. Beneath them the critical components of engine, fuel tank and transmission are contained in a V-shaped armored spine that deflects a blast away from the vehicle.