Today`s battlefield is indeed hybrid and extremely hostile terrain with the predominant threat coming from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), proxy bombs, suicide bombers explosively forged projectiles and land mines.

Universal Engineering has developed the RANGER family of armoured vehicles to overmatch this series of threats without compromising mobility or payload. The highly protected vehicle has been designed from first principles with crew survivability to the fore and the monocoque troop survival capsule is at the very heart of the machine.

RANGER project director John Scott said: ‘RANGER represents the next generation of protection, mobility and mission functionality. A complete family of vehicles including 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 variants is available to ensure a broad spectrum of roles from troop carrier to ambulance and from patrol/reconnaissance to EOD support: RANGER is the solution to overmatching both today’s and tomorrow’s threats.’

Amazingly, Scott delivered the prototype vehicle in exactly one year since the decision to commit private venture investment was taken by Universal Engineering’s owners. Since then 2 more preproduction vehicles have been built – a further 6x6 and a new 8x8. These 2 vehicles incorporate significant modifications and improvements instigated as the result of informed feedback and potential user suggestions harvested over the past 12 months of demonstrations and trials.

‘The key to achieving this feat has been the close working relationship established with our partners in the supply chain.’ Scott said. ‘Creation UK, our design house, and HR4 Limited (ILS provider) have been involved since day one. We have also enjoyed outstanding advice and backup from MAN who provide the 540 horse power engine, ZF and Webster Drives who make the gearbox and drive train respectively, and Horstman Defence, the manufacturer of the vehicle’s suspension system. Ranger will now enter a period of intensive testing to demonstrate and prove the vehicle’s inherent reliability, maintainability and support solutions’.

Universal have recently also teamed up with SELEX Galileo who will provide the mission systems for the Ranger vehicle. SELEX Galileo will integrate a range of critical systems onto the Ranger, further boosting the vehicle’s already very high crew protection capabilities. These include the Company’s local situational awareness system, remote weapon station and driver’s night vision system. Together, the systems provide a 24 hour situational awareness capability with the ability to respond to threats while remaining under armour. For each specific vehicle programme, SELEX Galileo will also integrate third party and GFE mission equipment as necessary to meet the individual customer requirements.

RANGER will be seen for the first time on continental Europe at the Eurosatory Exhibition from 14 to 18 June and will also be centre-stage on the Universal Engineering stand at Defence Vehicle Dynamics exhibition on 23 and 24 June 2010.

Universal Engineering
12.06.2010