BAE Systems unveils SentinelBAE Systems is to unveil a prototype for a new family of light utility vehicles specifically aimed at the market between commercial off-road and protected patrol vehicles such as HMMWV and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
https://www.shephard.co.uk/news/landwarfareint/bae-systems-unveils-sentinel/6196/
Due to be unveiled at the 2010 Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Arizona on 28 April, the ‘Sentinel’ off-road patrol vehicle demonstrator has been speculatively designed and manufactured by BAE Systems, the company told LWI.
The 4 x 4 vehicle comprises a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of around 14,000 lbs and depending on the type of variant required, has capacity to carry a payload of up to 8,700 lbs. BAE Systems said it was in a position to manufacture two-door; four-door; flat bed; surveillance box; ambulance; command and control; search and rescue; and special operations variants as well as a number of civil and homeland security applications.
According to Sean Murphy, programme manager for Security and Survivability at BAE Systems, Sentinel is well placed to compete with vehicles including The Jankel Group and Chrysler Group’s Jeep J8 and Land Rover and Ricardo upgraded Defenders.
Protection, he added, would be integrated into the vehicle at the discretion of the user and could include modular armour doors and roof panels or even an independent, armoured pod fitted onto the chassis.
However, Murphy said Sentinel would have NIJ Level IV protection (up to 7.62 mm armour piercing rounds) and would be capable of withstanding blasts from anti-personnel mines and hand grenades.
An automatic transmission Ford V8 turbo diesel engine is available in a petrol or gas configuration, providing a top speed of around 105 mph. The prototype has already undergone initial testing at the Ford Proving Grounds in Michigan in April with durability tests expected shortly at the National Automotive Test Centre in Nevada. The vehicle will then be on show at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) on 15 June.
BAE Systems told LWI that Sentinel will not be able to fit inside a CH47 airframe, a staple requirement for SF units, although it could be carried as an underslung load.
Currently, there are a number of requirements for long range patrol or special operations vehicles around the world, including interest from Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Chile and Peru. A Dutch requirement was cancelled or postponed last week.