News

2016-01-01

HAWKEI - EXCEPTIONAL MOBILITY AND OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

Soldiers on operations will benefit from increased protection and mobility in a powerful 4x4 vehicle, which can be adapted for different missions. Hawkei is named after the largest native Australian snake in the Death Adder species – Acanthophis Hawkei. It is one of Australia’s (and the world’s) deadliest snakes.

Meeting the needs of defence forces constantly challenged by Improvised explosive devices, mines or small arms ambushes, Hawkei is a highly mobile, highly protected light vehicle that meets today’s and tomorrow’s operational needs.

The Hawkei’s performance across the most demanding terrain is outstanding, and it is designed to be as driver-friendly as possible. The Hawkei’s 3-tonne payload, 5-6 seat capacity and adaptable electronic vehicle architecture provides the military commander the greatest operational flexibility in class.

PROTECTION AND MOBILITY

The crew protection cell provides a high level of built in blast protection plus a scalable ballistic protection solution, which is readily adaptable to meet future requirements.

The large protected air-conditioned cabin has seating for up to six occupants in the four-door and up to three occupants in the two-door variants. The 4x4 Drive with independent coil suspension offers max range of 600 km, speed of up to 115 km/h, along with exceptional on and off road mobility in all conditions.

It further offers 200Kw turbo diesel engine with eight-speed automatic transmission and CH-47F external air transportable support.

MISSION SYSTEMS & INTEGRATION

Thales offers Hawkei customers a broad portfolio of mission systems equipment and integration expertise. Hawkei has been designed from the outset with built-in features that deliver an integrated high-performing Vehicle Electronic Architecture that is GVA-compliant. Purpose designed areas can accommodate radios, computers and other electronic equipment, making Hawkei ready for current and future integrated C4I systems.

Hawkei Mission Options

Hawkei is designed for a diverse range of roles including:

• Troop carrier

• Command & control

• Liaison

• Surveillance

• Reconnaissance

• Electronic warfare

Weapon mount options include Manned or RWS 12.7 mm HMG, 40 mm Auto Grenade Launcher, 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm MG swing mounts.

GLOBAL SUPPORT

Thales’s vehicle maintenance and support system has evolved to meet the demands of a growing fleet and customer base around the world. It is mature, integrated and ready for Hawkei. The innovative modular design and simplified assembly of Hawkei presents opportunities for customers to engage with local industry, create local jobs and provide vital in-country support and services.

READY TO EXPORT

With a patented modular design, the Hawkei offers ultra-efficient protection systems. It delivers survivability, markedly against IED , mines or small arms ambushes.

Hawkei can be equipped with a variety of advanced weapon systems integrated into the vehicle’s digitised architecture to provide a variety of lethality options including heavy MG, auto grenade launchers and missiles.

The Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light fulfills a number of operational roles and is configured in two variants: 4-door and 2-door with tray. These configurations provide the basis for numerous variants including: command, reconnaissance, liaison and utility.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

The Hawkei is set to become the latest addition to the Australian Defence Force fleet following the signing of a AUD 1.3 billion (about EUR 820 million) contract with the Commonwealth.

Patrice Caine, Chairman & CEO of Thales said: “This is a great day for the Australian Defence Force and for Australian industry. Hawkei is a highly capable vehicle that will serve Australia for many years to come, and we are delighted that the Australian Department of Defence has recognised the importance of this vehicle by reaching this milestone.

As we move into the manufacturing phase, we will now be able to consolidate the work already begun across the Thales group worldwide to ensure the export success of this impressive vehicle.”

The contract involves the delivery of 1,100 vehicles and over 1,000 trailers. The three and a half year production phase is scheduled to begin from mid-2017, with first deliveries expected towards the end of that year.

Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, that Hawkei had been down selected under the LAND 121 Phase 4 program.

“This is a fantastic achievement for our engineering and production team, our partners and the 120 Australian firms that are part of our manufacturing supply chain.

“Up against the best vehicles in its class from US and European manufacturers, the Thales Hawkei has come out on top, which is a great vote of confidence in the skills of Australian defence industry.

“The Hawkei prototypes were developed in only 18 months and have completed more than 40,000km in vehicle testing. They have been subjected to more than 10 blast tests to prove the protection levels of the crew compartment.

“Subject to further discussions with the Commonwealth, the development contract announced will enable us to take the prototype through to a production-ready vehicle that fully meets the specifications set by the Australian Army,” says Jenkins.

He says it is a “truly innovative, highly mobile, highly protected” seven-tonne vehicle, with in-built vehicle systems to make it a real fighting platform for Australian troops. The Hawkei has been developed with Vehicle Electronic Architecture to be mission system ready.

PARTNERS VITAL

“We will work closely with Defence through the further development of the Hawkei to ensure it meets their needs. Our international and local partners including Plasan, Boeing, PAC Group and many Australian SMEs will be vital to this project.

“This decision also makes it possible for Thales to pursue export opportunities for the Hawkei. We have already achieved more than $100m in Bushmaster export sales, and the new Hawkei vehicle has great export potential, with a design that meets the needs of a wide range of military forces.”

Jenkins also welcomed the Minister for Defence’s commitment to the Bendigo, Victoria, protected vehicle manufacturing capability and the skills of its workforce as “an important national security capability”.

Hawkei follows the life-saving success of the larger Bushmaster vehicle, which has protected Australian and other troops in some of the most challenging combat environments on earth.

The Hawkei contract also reflects the unique Australian expertise at Thales’s protected vehicles manufacturing facility in Bendigo, as well as its support centres in Brisbane and Townsville.

“This is a great day for the ADF and for Australian industry. Hawkei is a highly capable vehicle that will serve this country well for many years to come, and we are delighted that the Department of Defence has recognised the importance of this vehicle by reaching this milestone,” says Jenkins.

“We are proud to have been chosen to deliver this next generation of protected vehicles to our armed forces, and we stand by them ready to support and adapt it as their requirements evolve.”

GREAT STORY

Jenkins thanked the many suppliers on the program – firms companies in Australia and overseas that have been with the company on this long journey, and who have played a significant role in shaping the Hawkei and contributing to its success. It’s a great story about what Australian industry and international partnerships can achieve, according to Jenkins.

“As we move into the manufacturing phase, we will now be able to consolidate the work already begun across the Thales group worldwide to ensure the export success of this impressive vehicle.”

Reference Photos:

www.images.defence.gov.au

www.thalesgroup.com.au

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