Bushmaster 'Ute'

B

Blastmaster

New Member
gf0012-aust said:
a bit more than just "marketing and promotion"

there were 27 built for the kuwaitis and thus had some real live field data to refer to - the modified timoney had no practical history to offer up as evidence of capability.

Bushmaster is a good platform (now), but lets not apply wunderkind marketing hype to its history.....
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I agree with you, the Taipan's trip around Australia and visits to a number of Army bases in between was more than just a "flag flying" exercise.

I must take you up on a few things icw the S600 however.

I cannot remember this vehicle ever being blast tested for centre or wheel mine blasts to anti-tank mineblast level and from my knowledge there is no way it would ever survive a centreblast equivalent to 8k or TNT or more with the hull design I saw.

Also, the tender called for automatic transmission in the end and the Unimog does not have one as standard and I know from experience that the Twindisc solution available on the Unimog is far from ideal so I am not sure what was offered on this vehicle in the end- maybe you can update me on this.

I know that the Taipan used the same basic Unimog chassis (minus chassis frame) and their automatic transmission conversion was very problematic and unreliable in the end.

Could it be that from a list of imperfect contenders, possibly the least imperfect was selected when the Bushmaster was announced as the winner?
 
R

rossfrb_1

Member
UK IMV order

Looks like there may finally be another export order for the Bushmaster.
see in Janes (the pay for section) that the UK is reportedly purchasing Bushmaster IMVs.
http://jdw.janes.com/public/jdw/index.shtml (May 2 2008)
As I'm not a subscriber I don't know anything more.
However, that's good news for Thales Australia.
The number is reportedly only 25 (wiki), could this be indicative of a 'trial' order only?

rb
 
gf0012-aust

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
rossfrb_1 said:
Looks like there may finally be another export order for the Bushmaster.
see in Janes (the pay for section) that the UK is reportedly purchasing Bushmaster IMVs.
http://jdw.janes.com/public/jdw/index.shtml (May 2 2008)
As I'm not a subscriber I don't know anything more.
However, that's good news for Thales Australia.
The number is reportedly only 25 (wiki), could this be indicative of a 'trial' order only?

rb
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Number sold is still classified at the request of the UK MoD end. This sale has been known about internally for close to a month.
 
W

winnyfield

New Member
Push for French orders. btw/ the Britsh order is all but confirmed but the UK-MoD is still quiet (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23695409-31477,00.html). The Dutch have also recently bought some more.

http://www.defensenews.com/osd_story.php?sh=VSDY&i=3587525
Panhard to Push Bushmaster to French Army
By andrew chuter
Published: 18 Jun 06:19 EDT (02:19 GMT)

Panhard is set to lead a marketing push by Thales Australia to sell its Bushmaster family of armored vehicles to the French military.

The Australian arm of Thales announced June 17 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding for the French light armored vehicle builder to market the highly protected infantry vehicle family locally.

.....

Thales Australia's managing director Chris Jenkins said the agreement "represented a significant step forward in future export sales of the Bushmaster family. Working with Panhard, we will be able to further improve the family of vehicles."

France has no specific program at this time for a highly protected Mine Resistant Ambush Protected type of infantry vehicle, although that may change in the next nine to 12 months if an urgent operational requirement emerges to equip forces deployed overseas.

A Bushmaster is due to be tested by the French army immediately after the Eurosatory exhibition. [June 16-20, 2008]

.....

The British declined to let Thales officials announce the order, even though Defense News reported the purchase two months ago.

.....
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R

riksavage

Banned Member
According to Janes (8th Oct) the Bushmaster is already in service with the UK in limited numbers (one assumes with the SF). The Government is now looking at buying the Thales Copperhead (based on the Bushmaster) to fullfill the requirement for a new tactical support vehicle(medium) to provide POL & ammo to deployed units in the LRPG role.
 
J

jacktar

New Member
riksavage said:
According to Janes (8th Oct) the Bushmaster is already in service with the UK in limited numbers (one assumes with the SF). The Government is now looking at buying the Thales Copperhead (based on the Bushmaster) to fullfill the requirement for a new tactical support vehicle(medium) to provide POL & ammo to deployed units in the LRPG role.
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Are you referring to the UK government or the Australian?
 
T

the road runner

Active Member
i was under the impression tha the UK government purchased 24 vehicles from the ADF orders.I read this in DEFECE TODAY magazine,i will try and dig up the issue it was last issue july-october 2008 issue.

I must say its great to here the the british are looking at the copperhead ute,i just think that the Australian defence industry needs to start exporting larger numbers of high quality Kit to ensure a defence industry that is feesable and competitive.

I still think it was a grave mistake for US marines to be driving on the battle field with un armoured humvees,IMO Bushmaster would have saved lives,no question about it!

As for the French,trying out the bushmaster/copperhead for there coutry well fingers crossed we get some more export dollars comming back to OZ.That is great news to here :D
 
L

lobbie111

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #91
gf0012-aust said:
It's UK. guess what colour they are? :)

btw, the bushies are already taking on the role of "mother" - ie what used to be the "mogs" job.
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Does this mean that we have the Copperheard version in service?

Since its in a thread about bushmasters, can someone update me on what has changed since operational troops gave their criticisms and review?
 
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riksavage

Banned Member
The UK Government is looking at a number of tactical support vehicles (TSV)to work in conjunction with the Jackel 4x4 (TSV light), Ridgeback / Bushmaster (TSV Medium) and Mastiff (TSV Heavy)

The new vehicles would be used to carry additional supplies (POL, rations, ammo) for troops on extended operations, thus reducing the number of helo resupplies.

The Bishmaster Ute would be used to support troops operating from Ridgeback & Bushmasters.

This programme falls under a possible UOR following lessons learnt in Afghanistan.

Considering the SASR also use the Jackel, the TSV light could also be purchased by them. I understand the 6x6 Supacat is under consideration as it shares comman parts with the Supacat based Jackel.
 
W

winnyfield

New Member
I don't think anyone has mentioned that the medium truck (FMTVs) component of LAND 121 'Overlander' has fallen through and will be going back to tender. Problems with protection levels is the official line.
 
T

the road runner

Active Member
Land 121 "Overlander",has fallen thru for the medium truck component?

winnifield have you got a link to this news?
would love to read up bout it

Gf what colour are they............ i have seen a picture(altho might be computer generated),they were a rusty brown like pilbara dirt.:lul <<this colour sort of

Thanx in advance winnifield and gf
 
R

riksavage

Banned Member
According to Janes it fell through because of a new requirement that the chosen vehicle can be fitted with add-on armour to protect driver/crew - another A-Stan lesson impacting procurement.
 
gf0012-aust

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
riksavage said:
According to Janes it fell through because of a new requirement that the chosen vehicle can be fitted with add-on armour to protect driver/crew - another A-Stan lesson impacting procurement.
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There are definitely UK Bushmasters operational. They're pink. So that means.....

the additionals might be at risk, but the already ordered units are alive, kicking and busy.
 
gf0012-aust

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
riksavage said:
According to Janes it fell through because of a new requirement that the chosen vehicle can be fitted with add-on armour to protect driver/crew - another A-Stan lesson impacting procurement.
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pulled from another forum. this bloke works "in the same space"

Clarified....bull*,

PS, talking to a chappie, Bushies affectionately known as "Smashmaster"...they smash through gates/car's/wall's ect with equal ability

word most frequently used in connection with vehicle..."awesome"
 
W

winnyfield

New Member
the road runner said:
Land 121 "Overlander",has fallen thru for the medium truck component?

winnifield have you got a link to this news?
would love to read up bout it
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http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/truck-wheel-of-fortune/1241164.aspx
" .... He said the company had been contacted by the Defence Mobility Organisation about the revision of Phase 3 tendering process and would consider its response when the Commonwealth began the new tendering process."
 
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