Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle, Australia

The Bushmaster 4×4 armoured vehicle is currently deployed in southern Iraq with the Australian Army's Al Muthanna Task Group. The Bushmaster armoured vehicle, developed by Thales Australia (formerly ADI Limited) in Australia is in full production at Thales's engineering and manufacturing facility at Bendigo, Victoria.

The Australian Army has tested the vehicle over thousands of kilometres in the extreme climatic conditions and terrain from sub-zero mountain areas to desert and tropical conditions in north Australia. In July 2002, the Australian Army awarded a contract to ADI Limited for 300 Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles in six variants: troop transport, ambulance, direct fire, mortar, engineer and command.

The first of 300 Bushmaster vehicles was delivered to the Australian Army in August 2004 and the vehicle was operationally deployed to Iraq in April 2005 and Afghanistan in September 2005. Deliveries completed in 2008.

The 500th Bushmaster vehicle was completed in October 2008.

In June 2006, the first batch of 152 troop transport variants completed delivery. Delivery of the command variant is underway.

In February 2006, ADI signed a licensing agreement with Oshkosh Truck Corporation of USA to market, manufacture and support the Bushmaster for North American customers and countries eligible for foreign military sales. In January 2007, Oshkosh was awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps for two category II mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles based on the Bushmaster. The Bushmaster variant was withdrawn from the MRAP competition in August 2007.

In August 2006, the Royal Netherlands Army placed a contract for 25 Bushmaster vehicles, for operations in Afghanistan. For speed of deployment, the vehicles are being supplied from those already delivered to the Australian Army.

12 vehicles are being fitted with Thales SWARM remote-controlled weapon system and all vehicles have the Thales SOTAS M2 multimedia communication system and Thales Claire thermal imager. The vehicles were deployed to Afghanistan in October 2006. In November 2007, the Netherlands Army ordered an additional five vehicles to replace vehicles damaged in Afghanistan. 13 were ordered in June 2008, 18 in August 2008 and nine in January 2009.

In September 2006, it was announced that Australian Army Bushmaster vehicles would be fitted with a remote weapon station (RWS), for added troop protection. 44 Raven R-400 weapon stations, from Recon Optical of the USA and electro optic systems (EOS) of Australia, have been ordered and upgraded vehicles are to enter service in 2008.

In December 2006, the Australian Army ordered a further 143 vehicles. The additional vehicles are to be delivered by 2009. In August 2007, the procurement of another 250 vehicles was announced by the Australian Army and a further 293 vehicles were ordered in October 2008. Total procurement for Australia is 737 vehicles.

In May 2008, under an urgent operational requirement, the UK placed an order for 24 Bushmaster vehicles for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

With a road cruise speed of 90km/h, the Bushmaster transports troops, quickly and comfortably and is suitable for deployment in complex, diffuse and lethal operational environments such as Iraq. The Bushmaster family of vehicles provides high-level protection against anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, mortar fragments and small arms fire.

Bushmaster crew cabin

Bushmaster is designed to transport up to ten troops. The cabin, with 1,415mm headroom, is fitted with seven face-to-face ergonomically designed seats with full harness seat belts. There is a personal weapons storage area, mission equipment storage, a radio suite, an air-conditioning unit and a cooled water drinking system.

The cabin is fitted with four roof hatches with locking handles to provide protection against ambush and alternative escape routes

The vehicle is transportable in C-130 Hercules aircraft for rapid deployment in forward areas of operation.

In June 2008, Thales launched a utility variant, the Bushmaster Copperhead armoured combat support vehicle (ACSV). The Copperhead ACSV can carry 4000 kg load on its rear tray and has a cruising speed of 100 km/h and maximum range of 800km. Copperhead has been downselected for the UK MoD's operational utility vehicle systems (OUVS) requirement.

Driver's cabin

The driver and crew cabin areas are ergonomically designed for comfortable travel in varied terrain and harsh environments, minimising crew fatigue and allowing the crew to rest or concentrate on the mission. The engine noise level inside the cabin and crew compartment is very low.

The cabin is fitted with a large windscreen and side windows for all-round visibility. The dashboard is ergonomically arranged, with easily readable and night-vision-goggle-compatible cockpit instrumentation. The driver can use the push-button control central tyre inflation system to adjust the tyre pressure while on the move to suit the terrain type and to keep the tyres inflated with limited punctures.

Weapons

The commander's hatch on the left is equipped with a weapon mount for a 5.56mm or 7.62mm machine gun. A light cannon can also be fitted. The ballistically protected windows can be fitted with optional shooting ports.

Lockers can be replaced with additional ammunition and arms or fuel and water tanks to extend the operational radius. The crew seating can be reconfigured to accommodate operational requirements.

44 Australian Army vehicles are being fitted with the Recon Optical / Electro Optic Systems Ltd Raven R-400 weapon station. The system is in service with the US Army, designated the M101 common remotely operated weapon station (CROWS). Raven sensors include thermal imager, CCD TV and eyesafe laser rangefinder.

Propulsion

The Bushmaster engine, a Caterpillar 3126E ATAAC turbocharged six-cylinder, produces up to 246kW (330hp) at 2,400rpm. It provides a power to weight ratio of 16kW/t, cruise speed of 110km/h and maximum speed and 120km/h. The vehicle has an extended range of more than 1,000km.

A double wishbone independent suspension system designed by Timoney in County Meath, Ireland provides good cross-country mobility across difficult terrains. The complete powerpack, (engine, automatic transmission, cooling system) can be easily replaced in the field without special tools.

Self-protection

The armour-protected chassis protects against the blast of claymore, anti-tank mines, anti-personnel mines, mortars, improvised explosive devices and Nato 5.56mm and 7.62mm ball ammunition. An upgrade armour kit provides protection against 5.56mm and 7.62mm armour-piercing rounds. The shaped hull deflects the blast from the equivalent of a 9.5kg high-explosive land mine detonated under any wheel or under the centre section of the vehicle.

Wire cutters are installed on the roof on both sides of the vehicle to protect soldiers exposed above the roofline. The fuel and hydraulic tanks are located outside the crew compartments to minimise fire risk. The fuel tanks are equipped with fire retardants to prevent explosion and inhibit deterioration of the fuel.

A 270l drinking-water tank is installed under the floor of the crew compartment, contributing to crew safety in the event of a landmine explosion. The armour protected seating provides additional protection against spinal injuries.