Weymouth's Universal Engineering unveils new armoured vehicle

10:10am Friday 3rd July 2009

By James Tourgout

WORKERS in Weymouth have built a new armoured vehicle to protect soldiers from roadside bombs and mines in war zones.

Universal Engineering, in Cumberland Drive, unveiled the Ranger at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) international defence exhibition at Millbrook Proving Grounds in Bedfordshire.

Universal Engineering Ranger program director John Scott showed Defence Minister Quentin Davis the vehicle at the major exhibition.

The Ranger project is expected to safeguard and protect jobs over the years to come at Universal.

Mr Scott said: “Ranger represents the next generation of protection, mobility and mission functionality.

“A complete family of vehicles including 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 variants is available to ensure a broad spectrum of roles from troop carrier to ambulance and from patrol/reconnaissance to mortar platform.

“Ranger is the solution to overmatching today’s and tomorrow’s threats.”

Universal is producing the Ranger armoured patrol vehicle as a private venture. It has taken a year to develop and to build, and features cutting-edge military hardware and technology.

The vehicle is designed to protect soldiers against roadside bombs and mines – known in the military as Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs – as well as suicide bombers and explosives.

The Ranger has a range of ‘tuneable’ armour options to allow it to protect against a particular threat or weapon.

But it is also built to deal with difficult off-road terrain and cross-country driving conditions – to allow troops to avoid potential ambushes at dangerous roads and junctions.

Mr Davies made Universal his first port of call when he visited the DVD exhibition. Top military officers also viewed the new machine as well as delegations from Australia, the United States and Scandinavia.

Universal managing director Bill Broome said he was delighted with interest shown in the Ranger and that the firm intended to turn the interest into export orders. He praised the workforce in Weymouth for working non-stop in the eight weeks before the exhibition to get the first vehicle ready.

He added: “I am confident that Ranger will meet, and exceed, our high expectations for performance and reliability. “We are proud to offer the vehicle to the military community who regularly risk their lives in places such as Helmand Province in Afghanistan.”

Technology offered by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defence Systems has been used for the design and integration of the Ranger’s ‘tuneable’ armour system.

Other firms involved in the project include Creation UK, HR4 Limited, MAN, ZF and Webster Drives, Horstman Defence, Tactronics Europe, MWR Solutions, IBM, APS and ATK.

Now the Ranger will be put through its paces with demanding performance and durability trails at Bovington. Its next public appearance will be at a major international exhibition called DSEi in London in September.