News: MTL Group awarded V Hull contract

Contract-manufacturing specialist, MTL Group, has been awarded a significant contract from Force Protection Europe to supply a serial production run of fabricated armoured "V" hulls for the prestigious UK Foxhound project.

The new Foxhound vehicle has been designed to provide unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight.

Light and agile, Foxhound will allow troops to carry out a wide range of tasks in environments that may restrict larger, heavier vehicles – for example moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges.

From their new 300,000 sq. ft modern manufacturing facility, currently being fitted out in Rotherham, MTL Group will produce these complex highly protected hulls. MTL Group will be using state of the art equipment including the world's largest robot press and robot welding to ensure consistent quality and volume achievement.

MTL Group has also supported Force Protection Europe and Ricardo on this project though its Design For Manufacture service. This DFM service provided an opportunity to select the optimum materials and influence the design for volume production.

MTL Group is renowned within the defence and security sector as a reliable partner for components manufactured from both armour and high strength materials, and is recognised as the number one supplier within Europe for this type of service and materials.

Karl Stewart, Sales Director at MTL Group said: "We are delighted to be involved in the Foxhound programme and Design For Manufacture has been a key service that enabled us to work with our customer to enhance their product and reduce costs"

The British-built Foxhound incorporates Formula One racing technology and was devised by engineers from the World Rally Championship, McLaren F1 and BMW.

Force Protection Europe are building 200 of the new vehicles which are expected to be available to troops for training in 2011.

MTL Group website


Images: army.mod.uk/