BAE is a slick company. Slick as in smooth and for those that aren't paying attention they'll fail to notice simple little things.
Like the way they redesigned the vehicle. Check this out. The before Marine Day photo...
And now a pic of the vehicle as it was presented at Modern Day Marine (photo is courtesy of DefenseNews)...
Let me tell ya something boys and girls. That's an entirely new vehicle. Completely different than the one that they were modeling before.
Lets take it from the front back. The front end has been totally redesigned. I'm guessing but I'm betting that it has better water performance now. Notice the lights have been moved, the front is more raked...now take a look at the suspension. I don't know whats going on there but its been totally redesigned too. Additionally and I can't tell because I haven't seen a photo of the top of the vehicle but I would bet its changed too. Notice the RWS system?
We're looking at the VBTP on roids. That means a high degree of automotive parts. That also means they're gonna make this a price war.
The only real question left is this. The Italian Marine Corps has a requirement for a MPC too. Are they going to be offered the same vehicle as the USMC or is IVECO doing something unique for them?
Either way all the major defense writers missed the really big news. BAE made an ass out of them and switched up vehicles and none of them noticed.
Note:
Below you see a pic of the Brazilian VBTP. If I recall correctly, they are looking at producing an 8x8 version. I think we're seeing a two-fer here. IVECO/BAE get to leverage the USMC Marine Personnel Carrier Program with development of the VBTP 8x8. Brilliant. But a look at the current VBTP and the model on display indicates that they refined it. Attention will now turn to the VBTP and see if we see a version 2.0. This is getting good!
Like the way they redesigned the vehicle. Check this out. The before Marine Day photo...
Let me tell ya something boys and girls. That's an entirely new vehicle. Completely different than the one that they were modeling before.
Lets take it from the front back. The front end has been totally redesigned. I'm guessing but I'm betting that it has better water performance now. Notice the lights have been moved, the front is more raked...now take a look at the suspension. I don't know whats going on there but its been totally redesigned too. Additionally and I can't tell because I haven't seen a photo of the top of the vehicle but I would bet its changed too. Notice the RWS system?
We're looking at the VBTP on roids. That means a high degree of automotive parts. That also means they're gonna make this a price war.
The only real question left is this. The Italian Marine Corps has a requirement for a MPC too. Are they going to be offered the same vehicle as the USMC or is IVECO doing something unique for them?
Either way all the major defense writers missed the really big news. BAE made an ass out of them and switched up vehicles and none of them noticed.
Note:
Below you see a pic of the Brazilian VBTP. If I recall correctly, they are looking at producing an 8x8 version. I think we're seeing a two-fer here. IVECO/BAE get to leverage the USMC Marine Personnel Carrier Program with development of the VBTP 8x8. Brilliant. But a look at the current VBTP and the model on display indicates that they refined it. Attention will now turn to the VBTP and see if we see a version 2.0. This is getting good!
