TM&LS unveils Commando Select vehicle at AUSA 2013

Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS) has unveiled the newest vehicle in its Commando four-wheeled armoured vehicle line, at the just concluded 2013 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, US.

Called Commando Select, the new 90mm direct fire vehicle is designed to address the growing international requirement for significantly greater under-armour firepower integrated on a highly-mobile armoured vehicle.

Capable of carrying up to seven soldiers alongside crew, the vehicle incorporates a monocoque V-shaped hull for protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a CMI Defence Cockerill CSE 90LP weapon system that provides day / night combat capability for counter-insurgency and legacy combat operations.

TM&LS senior vice-president and general manager, Tom Walmsley, said the new vehicle is a direct response to multiple foreign customers seeking additional firepower in highly-protected, mobile and sustainable armoured vehicles.

"The 90mm direct fire vehicle uses our combat-proven Commando Select platform and adds a trusted CMI Defence turret to deliver an effective package for a wide range of military and security applications," Walmsley said.

The vehicle is also fitted with a Cockerill Mk3 90mm low pressure gun, which can be operated from a two-man, lightweight and easy to operate and maintain turret.

Other vehicles of TM&LS's combat-proven Commando family include Commando Elite, Commando Advanced, and Commando Utility.

Over 8,000 vehicles are currently operational with the armies of Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand and the US, with the Afghan National Army's (ANA) Mobile Strike Force units alone receiving more than 550 vehicles in the last two years.

An additional 600 vehicles are currently under various phases of production and delivery to the militaries of Canada, Colombia and Afghanistan, according to the company.