Ocelot (vehicle)

Force Protection Ocelot LPPV
Type	armoured car
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Production history
Designer	Ricardo plc / Force Protection Europe
Designed	2009–2010
Manufacturer	Force Protection Europe
Produced	2011– (projected)
Variants	Prototype
Specifications
Weight	7,500 kg (7.4 long tons)
Length	5.32 m (17 ft 5 in)
Width	2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Height	2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)
Speed	110 km/h (68 mph)

The Force Protection Ocelot is an armoured vehicle that is scheduled to replace the United Kingdom's Snatch Land Rover with British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.^[1][2] It will receive the service name Foxhound.

Design

Designed by Force Protection Europe and the automotive engineering company Ricardo, the Ocelot is intended for use as a light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV) with specialised protection against roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IED)s. It can weigh up to 7,500 kilograms (17,000 lb) when loaded.

Powered by a Steyr M16-Monoblock Diesel engine^[3] (6-cylinder, 160kW^[4]), it reaches a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) in 19.75 seconds, and has a maximum speed of 70 mph (113 km/h).^[2] Its wheels function independently, so the vehicle's other wheels should continue to work if one is blown off. The design is modular, all of the components can be removed easily and the protective pod where up to six people can sit is interchangeable to allow easy modification according to the vehicle's role. Its cabin is made of advanced composite materials. Critical parts such as the crew compartment, engine, fuel tank and transmission are contained within the V-shaped armored ‘spine’ that deflects potential blast away from the pod, thus protecting the occupants and key components.

History

The Ocelot was first shown in September 2009 by Force Protection Europe at the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition in London.^[1] Two units were purchased by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) in April 2010 for further testing.^[5]

On 22 September 2010, the MoD announced that the Ocelot would replace the Snatch Land Rover, the previous LPPV, which has received criticism for its lack of protection against roadside bombs.^[2] The first Ocelots are expected to be delivered to troops in 2011.^[6] The final price and quantity of the order were undetermined^[7] as at 30 November 2010. The MoD announced that 200 Ocelots had been ordered, at a cost of £180 Million. The MoD has renamed the vehicle Foxhound^[8] in line with the names given to other wheeled armoured vehicles in current British use, such as Mastiff and Ridgeback.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Force Protection Europe Rolls Out Ocelot Vehicle at DSEI" (Press release). Force Protection, Inc.. 2009-09-08. http://www.forceprotection.net/news/news.html?id=316. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Ocelot Revealed as Snatch Land Rover replacement". bbc.co.uk. 22 September 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11388724. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 
3. ^ Ocelot Mine protected wheeled armoured vehicle: Army Recognition
4. ^ Applications Gallery: Steyr.Motors.com
5. ^ "Force Protection Announces Sale of Two Ocelot Vehicles to United Kingdom Ministry of Defence" (Press release). Force Protection, Inc.. 2010-04-27. http://www.forceprotection.net/news/news.html?id=339. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 
6. ^ "New patrol vehicle further on the road to production" (Press release). Ministry of Defence. 22 September 2010. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/NewPatrolVehicleFurtherOnTheRoadToProduction.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 
7. ^ "Force Protection Europe Selected as Preferred Bidder for U.K. Light Protected Patrol Vehicle" (Press release). Force Protection, Inc.. 2010-09-22. http://www.forceprotection.net/news/news.html?id=377. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 
8. ^ "MoD signs deal to replace Snatch vehicle with Foxhound". BBC News. BBC. 30 November 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11877801.