Enhanced combat vehicles start operations 16.09.11
110The first of the enhanced Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) fleet are now operational in Afghanistan.
The up-armoured vehicles are giving extra protection to the soldiers of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, as they provide security in the Nahr-e Saraj (North) district of Helmand Province.
BAE Systems has upgraded the armour on all five vehicles that make up the CVR(T) family -- Scimitar, Spartan, Samson, Sultan and Samaritan -- through an Urgent Operational Requirement process worth around £30M.
As part of the contract, the vehicles have been re-hulled to give better mine-blast protection for troops, improved armour added for enhanced resistance to blasts and ballistics, as well as new mine-blast protection seating in every position in every variant.
Other enhancements include repositioned foot controls and a revamped fuel system.