Projects
LAND 116 - Bushranger
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Phase 3 Point of Contact |
Project Overview
Project BUSHRANGER will provide protected land mobility to Army combat units and the Royal Australian Air Force’s Airfield Defence Guards with the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV).
A total of up to 700 Thales Australia Bushmaster vehicles in seven variants will be acquired. The variants are Troop; Command; Mortar; Assault Pioneer; Direct Fire Weapon; Ambulance; and Air Defence.
The design process for the PMV included the use of mock-up and prototype-based development prior to starting production in late 2003. Delivery of the PMV commenced in 2004 with all vehicles planned to be in service by 2012.
The PMV combines good performance, safety and comfort in a rugged vehicle, which operates over the most demanding terrain. Its extended range, high cruising speed and comfortable crew cabin ensure that troops arrive at their objective in peak condition.
Current Phase
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Phase 3 – Procurement of the PMVs (1999 - 2012)
Phase 3 is the procurement phase for the PMVs. During this phase, the acquisition contract has been utilised to provide support for the in-service fleet.
ADI Limited (now Thales Australia) was announced as the preferred tenderer on 10 March 1999. A contract was negotiated with ADI Limited, and signed on 1 June 1999 for the supply of 370 PMVs to meet the capability requirement. In 2002, the Production Contract was re-negotiated within the same project funding limits to provide for 299 PMVs, with a revised schedule.
Current Status:
Full-rate production of the vehicles commenced in 2004 and Full Design Acceptance for the troop variant was issued on 24 February 2006. Vehicles are deployed on operations with the Australian Army and the Royal Netherlands Army with high availability rates.
As a result of operational deployment, a number of enhancements are being fitted to the vehicle including the Protected Weapon Station, Custom SPALL Liner, Fire Explosion Suppression System, and a tenth seat.
All vehicles from the original contract have now been delivered. In December 2006, the Government announced that Defence would be acquiring an additional 143 PMVs under the Enhanced Land Force (ELF). Delivery of these vehicles has commenced.
The purchase of a further 250 (subject to negotiation) additional Bushmaster vehicles was approved by Government in August 2007 under Project Overlander. Production is to commence after the ELF vehicles, and delivery is anticipated to be completed by June 2012.A through life support contract with Thales Australia commenced on 25 March 2006.
Point of Contact
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LAND 116 - BushrangerCombat Support Vehicle Systems Program Office
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Land Manoeuvre Systems Branch
Land Systems Division
Defence Materiel Organisation
Victoria Barracks Melbourne
256-310 St Kilda Road
SOUTHBANK VIC 3006
Australia
Program Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9282 3940
Facsimile: +61 3 9282
4415
