An industrial group, ARTEC GmbH (formerly Eurokonsortium), consisting of Alvis Vehicles from the UK, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Landsysteme from Germany, and Stork of the Netherlands, is the prime contractor for the programme. The programme is being managed by the European Armaments Agency, OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation).

Production for the UK, Germany and the Netherlands is for a first batch of 600 vehicles, with deliveries to begin in 2006. The total requirement is expected to be more than 2000 vehicles - Germany 1000, UK 1000 and the Netherlands 384. The UK MRAV is required to replace FV430, Saxon and Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) utility vehicles. Germany intents to replace M113. and Fuchs Tpz 1vehicles.

The MRAV/GTK design will provide an 8 x 8 Armoured Personnel Carrier and a Command Vehicle versions and also allows for the development of other variants using the same base vehicle. MRAV/GTK will provide the capability to operate in both high intensity conflict and in relief and humanitarian operations.

The design is based on a modular structure selected to give the maximum flexibility for multi-purpose operation. The vehicle incorporates a high level of standardisation and uses commercially proven automotive components. The 8x8 vehicle provides a load capacity to 8 tonnes and has an internal capacity of more than 14 cubic meter.

The Mission modules, which fit into the base vehicle, provide static battlefield installations to suit the nation specific requirements, including headquarters, medical units and logistic centres. The modules incorporate a primary safety cell with a triple floor. The base vehicle operates independently from the modules. The units are air ransportable. The modules are interchangeable in less than one hour.

The weapon station is reconfigurable to suit the specific national requirement and the module for mission specific equipment is replaceable within 1 hour. Hagglunds Vehicle has been selected by Alvis to produce the weapon stations for the British vehicles which will be armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun.

The basic shell is made of high-hardness steel. Modular armour is sandwiched between the vehicle cell and the steel coat and all three elements are secured by fastening bolts.Currently the modular armour which includes top attack protection against bomblet, is a specialised ceramic mix. The modular design will allow future generations of armour technologies to be fitted in place of current designs by simple slab replacement. The hull is designed to beat blast mine attackby shaping blast away.Additionally a double-lined hull soaks up critical blast deformation.

The vehicle’s thermal acoustic and radar signature management capability is in the forefront of armoured vehicle stealth technology and provides a low signature.

MOBILITY

The vehicle will be fitted with a 530kW MTU engine linked to an Allison automatic transmission. Permanent 8-wheeled drive, all-round independent suspension and central tyre inflation system (CTIS) will give excellent road and cross-country mobility. A road range of over 1000 km, combined with a very smooth and quiet ride provides an unaided operational deployability unmatched among in-service armoured utility vehicles.