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$250m ASLAV upgrade plan
By Cpl Corinne Boer

Edition 1162, March 22, 2007
 
Well armed: An ASLAV on patrol in southern Iraq.
Photo by Sgt John Carroll
ENHANCED protection and better mobility for the Army’s ASLAVs will be the main focus of proposed upgrades worth $250 million under Project Land 112 Phase 4.

A system development and demonstration phase will commence shortly to design, build and test four ASLAV enhanced prototype vehicles.

Specifically, the prototypes will feature increased protection from a range of threats, such as improvised explosive devices, landmines and shoulder-fired anti-armour weapons.

Capt Dorian Serfontein, who is responsible for the management of the project, said additional features would include camouflage systems, weight reduction measures to provide operational and tactical mobility, and electronic self-protection systems.

“The project aims to provide a mid-life upgrade for the ASLAV fleet with a focus on survivability whilst retaining the vehicle’s current level of mobility,” Capt Serfontein said.

The plans also include changes to the vehicle’s handling and soldiers may need to complete a conversion course.

“The project seeks to minimise impact on the vehicle handling and operability,” he said.

“If anything, the enhanced vehicle will be more user-friendly and will be designed with crew ergonomics in mind.

The project milestone is the culmination of nearly four years of work spearheaded by Land Development Branch and several Defence and other Government organisations.

It is estimated, the project will deliver an enhanced ASLAV capability to the army by 2012.