The Bushmaster splashes through a muddy pond. Photo provided by ADI

Bushmaster rolls off factory floor

 

THE first production line Bushmaster was recently handed over to the Army, with CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy getting behind the wheel for a test drive.

Four low-rate production Bushmasters are intended for delivery by November for reliability trials before full-rate production is expected to commence next year.

The Bushmaster is designed to protect against anti-vehicle mines, small-arms fire and mortar blasts and offers a cruising speed of 90 km/h, air conditioning, 4WD and independent suspension.

The Army has ordered six variants of the vehicle: troop carrier, ambulance, direct fire-support, mortar, engineer and command.