On the Indian subcontinent today the only visibly bullet-proof cars for VIPs are the white Ambassadors or the armored Maruti Gypsy meant for the armed security personnel in Jammu, Kashmir or other flashpoints. With a constant rise in threats to the safety of defense and security personnel as well as political figures, the right kind of protection at all times and locations is paramount.
MKU, whose products range from ballistic protection and bomb blankets to UAVS is unveiling its first safe, reliable and light-weight armored vehicle range. Christened Concord C7, it has been developed and manufactured by Concord Safety Solutions – a joint venture between three industry stalwarts – MKU, MDT Armor of Israel, and the JN Group. The vehicle draws upon the vast collective expertise, experience and capabilities of its promoters.
The Concord range of armored vehicles offer varying levels of ballistic protection against all types of threat and can be completely custom-designed. These armored vehicles have been tested in real conditions and have successfully withstood various levels of perceivable threats. MKU’s facilities, products and processes conform to the most stringent quality standards, while the R&D division conforms to the standards in the US and Europe.
The armored vehicles are designed to be inconspicuous and can easily and completely merge with traffic. The vehicle has been tested to survive an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) – in one test a bomb containing 2.5 to 3 kg of explosive material was detonated three meters from the vehicle’s flank and although this resulted in 111 holes on the body panel, no penetration occured and the ‘passengers’ remained unscathed.
When it comes to enhancing the protection of armored vehicles required for VIP security, transportation and cash transit without compromising on their maneuverability and performance, Concord light-armor solution has become widely popular worldwide. The panels which are manufactured and installed to provide the protection shield use various composite materials such as aramid, polyethylene and ceramic, either in combination or alone.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SYSTEM (UAVS)
Ever heard of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle carrying a tonne of payload? Or one that can take-off and land like a helicopter or Harrier jump-jet? MKU, which has become one of the pioneers in the country to indigenously develop and produce Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (UAVs), is in the process of developing such UAVS.
MKU’s UAVS are designed around two basic philosophies: the UAVS must utilize cutting-edge technologies to provide the client with state-of-the-art capabilities, and they must operate autonomously and provide an easy to use intuitive interface so that the operator can focus on the mission at hand.
The company’s first two UAVs, TERP (Tactical Electrical Reconnaissance Probe) and ERASMUS were launched in 2007. These UAVs can achieve a maximum altitude of up to 19,500 feet, and be used for a range of applications like border control, remote surveillance and reconnaissance, disaster management, search and rescue, road patrol, convoy protection and survey and mapping.
FUTURE UAV PRODUCTS
The company is already commited to developing the next generation UAVS, including the Omnius Series of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs for both medium and high altitude, and the SKYLIFTER series of Cargo UAVS with the capability to carry one ton and more of cargo MKU’s UAV division currently has an R&D and Production Centre in Bangalore. The company is currently in the process of setting up an integrated R&D, Production and Flight Testing Facility on the outskirts of Bangalore.