LADSON, S.C., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. company Force Protection Inc. has submitted its bid and test vehicle to Canada for the Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle project.
Force Protection said it's a 6X6 variant of the battle-proven Cougar wheeled combat vehicle.
Force Protection will be the design authority and have overall responsibility for the acquisition contract to supply the TAPV vehicles and maintain configuration control. It's main Canadian partner, CAE, will have overall responsibility for the comprehensive in-service support solution, including: vehicle operator and mission training systems; engineering information environment; fleet management services; systems engineering support; and, lifecycle and integrated logistics support services.
CAE will also be responsible for assembling a pan-Canadian team of companies to develop and support any country-specific requirements for Canada's replacement fleet of tactical armored patrol vehicles.
Force Protection and CAE previously announced a collaboration that includes Elbit Systems as the provider for a dual remote weapons system and Lockheed Martin-Canada as the provider of C4ISR suite for the Timberwolf vehicle.
"Partnered with CAE, Force Protection is pleased to formally submit Timberwolf as the optimal solution for the TAPV project," Randy Hutcherson, chief of business development for Force Protection, said. "Along with our key providers, we are committed to offering the Canadian Forces a highly-protected and reliable vehicle, as well as industrial and regional benefits that will contribute to investment in Canadian industry and provide further experience and capability in the armored vehicle market."
A contract award to the final selected bidder for the TAPV program is expected by the second quarter of 2012.
